Determining the families' level of directing children to science and children's perception of science

In this study, it is aimed to examine the level of orientation of children to science and children's perception of science in a holistic framework. The research was carried out using mixed method, and in this context, quantitative and qualitative data were included in the research. In this context, three different study groups were determined by using criteria and accessible sampling methods. The quantitative study group consists of 168 parents with preschool children. In the qualitative study group, there are 11 parents and 11 children between the ages of 3-6. Three different data collection tools were used in the study. As a quantitative data collection tool, a 5-point Likert-type, 18-item, 3-factor scale developed by Bal and Kaya (2022) was used. As a qualitative data collection tool, a 6-question structured interview form developed by the researcher and the drawings obtained from the children were used. Necessary analyzes were made using the SPSS package program on the quantitative data obtained from the research, and codes and themes were created by subjecting the qualitative data to content analysis. As a result of the analyzes, it was determined that the level of families' orientation of children to science differs significantly according to the variables of education level and child age, and the level of families' orientation of children to science has a significant effect on children's perception of science.