The relationship between the creativity level and social skills of kindergarten children at 48-71 months old

Based on the perspectives of kindergarten teachers and children's test results, this study was conducted with the aim of identifying whether there is any relationship between the creativity level and social skills of kindergarten children at 48-71 months old. A survey research design was used in the study. The universe of the study covers the students of two kindergartens in Yüreğir and Çukurova districts of Adana, in 2015/2016 education year. The sample of the study consists of 246 children including 121 female and 125 male. A convenience sampling method was utilised in the study. The data of the study were gathered through a three-sectioned personal data form, a scale and a test. In other words, the Personal Data Form adapted by the researcher, Social Skills Evaluation Scale, and Torrance Creative Thinking Test were employed in the study. SPSS (v.22.0) was utilised in order to analyse the collected data. Frequency (f), percentage (%), mean (x), standard deviation (Ss), correlation co-efficiency (r), t-test, Anova, Sidak test, and regression analysis were employed in the analysis. According to the results of the study, there is a positive significant difference between the sub-dimensions of Children's Social Skills Scale and the total score of the modal TTCT, and while the social skill level of children grows, the modal TTCT grows as well. It is also understood in the study that the growth in children's mission accomplishment skills, verbal explanation skills, and skills of handling the peer pressure has an increasing effect on the modal creative dimensions of children. It is seen that children with high fulfillment skills, verbal explanation skills, and skills of handling the peer pressure have high level of creativity level. There was no significant difference between the total score of the modal TTCT and gender, education level of parents, age of parents, number of brothers and sisters, but a significant difference in terms of children's age, parents' comitative and financial situation. Keywords: creativity, social skills, pre-school education, kindergartens