Examining the relationship between life skills and communication skills in preschool period in terms of different sociocultural variables

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between life skills and communication skills of 60-72 months children living in different socioeconomic regions. Relational survey model, one of the quantitative research designs, was used in the study. The study sampling consisted of a total of 149 children aged 60-72 months who were studying in official kindergartens/preschools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in Antalya and Bitlis provinces. Simple random sampling was used to determine the study group. Two tools were used to collect data in the study. In order to reach the findings that constitute the independent variables of the study, the "Personal Information Form" created by the researcher was used. The "Preschool Life Skills Scale" and the "Communication Skills Scale for 60- 72 Months Preschool Children" were used to obtain the findings for the dependent variables of the study. In the analysis of the research data, for the two-level independent variables, independent samples t-test was applied when the scale scores were normally distributed, and Mann Whitney U test was applied when they were not normally distributed. When it was examined whether the scores obtained from the life skills scale and communication skills scale differed in terms of independent variables, it was concluded that there was no difference in life skills levels, while there was a significant difference in communication skills levels according to gender, number of siblings, mother's education level and father's education level. However, there was a positive relationship between communication skills and life skills. Considering the positive relationship between life skills and communication skills as a result of the research, it is recommended that development studies should be carried out in educational programs in order to improve these skills.