Investigating the relationship between problem solving skills with number and operation concept achievements of children in early childhood period

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between problem solving skills with number and operation concept achievements of children in early childhood period attending preschool education institutions. In the study, the question of whether the problem solving skills with number and operation concept achievements of children changed according to gender, preschool education, mother's working status and parents' education level are also examined. This research was conducted as a quantitative study in relational screening model. The sample group of the study consisted of 91 children (47 girls, 51,6% and 44 boys, 48,4%) enrolled in preschools in Kestel, Bursa. In this research Personal Information Form which was prepared by the researchers, Problem Solving Skills Scale (PSSS) was developed by Oğuz and Köksal-Akyol (2015) Number And Operation Concepts Test in 48-86 Months Old Children was developed by Aktaş-Arnas, Gül ve Sığırtmaç (2003) were applied. In order to apply statistical analysis normality values were examined with Kolmogrov Smirnov normality test. T-test and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in the analysis of data with normal distribution. Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal Wallis-H Test (KWH) were used in the analysis of data that did not show normal distribution. The relationship between problem solving skills with number and operation concept achievements was analyzed by Pearson's correlation. According to research results; preschool children's problem-solving skills were found to be below average; number and operation concept achievements were found to be above average. There is a low positive relationship between problem solving skills of preschool children with number and operation concept achievements scores. According to the results of the study, the problem solving skills do not differ according to the variables of gender, mother's working status, and parents' education status, but problem skills vary age and preschool education according to variables. Number and operation concept achievements do not differ according to gender, mother's working status, parents' education status, age and preschool education status. Keywords: Preschool education, early childhood period, problem solving skills, number and operation concept achievements.