Social studies education in preschool: An investigation of illustrated children's books

The aim of this study is to examine the domestic and translated picture books for preschool children (3-6 years old) in our country including topics about social studies and to reveal the adequacy level of social studies topics. This qualitative study used the document analysis model. In this study, convenience sampling method and criterion sampling method were used. In determining the sample, the criteria were based on the characteristics of being suitable for the preschool age group (3-6 years), being an illustrated story, and directly or indirectly containing topics related to social studies. Accordingly, the sample of the study comprised 220 domestic and translated books published between 2005 and 2023. In the study, two tools developed by the researcher were used as data collection tools: "Preliminary Review Form for Picture Children's Books in Terms of Social Studies" and "Rubric for Evaluating Picture Books in Terms of Social Studies Themes". A total of 5 expert opinions were consulted for the developed tools. With the tools finalised after the expert opinion, picture books were evaluated using the content analysis method. The data obtained were presented descriptively. The books were coded according to certain categories using "The Form for Preliminary Examination of Illustrated Children's Books in Terms of Social Studies" and the books were scored with one rubric developed. The books were evaluated with a maximum of 16 points from "The Rubric for Evaluating Picture Books in Terms of Social Studies Themes". According to the results of the research, the books examined had deficiencies in terms of physical characteristics, while their language expression features were mostly positive. Additionally, the books mostly focused on the fields of individual and society and production, distribution, and consumption from the field of social studies. As a result of the findings, geography, law and sociology should be included more in the books. It is suggested that studies analysing children's picture books in detail in each sub-branch of social sciences should be conducted. Keywords: Social Studies, Illustrated Children's Books, Preschool Period