An analysis of the relationship between teacher candidates' attitudes towards teaching profession and their level of child-loving through different variables (Example of Ağrı city)

The research was conducted to examine the relationship between the attitudes of prospective teachers towards the teaching profession and their level of child-loving through different variables. In this study, a relational scanning model was used. The study's universe constitutes the 3rd and 4th grade students who are studying at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University, Faculty of Education in the departments of primary and pre-school teaching in 2016-2017 academic year. The data were collected using 'Personal Information Form', 'Attitude Scale Toward Teaching Profession' and 'Barnett Liking of Children Scale' via face to face interview technique. The data were analyzed by means of t test, one way ANOVA, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Analysis, Simple Linear Regression Analysis, percentage and frequencies with a computer. A total of 327 teacher candidates who were accessible and willing to participate in the research, 109 of which are male and 218 of which are female, are included in the sample of the research. It is also observed that 78% (n = 255) of the participants are in the age range of 21-23 years. In terms of child-loving level, the average score of males was =81.63 and the average for females was =86.52 and as for the scores of attitudes towards teaching profession the average score of males was =130.04 and the average of females was =145.62. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the mean scores of child-loving level (t = -2.688; p<.05) and teaching profession (t = -4.945; p <.05) were significantly different and the scores of women's were found to be higher than male average scores in both scales. In addition, a statistically significant relationship was found between the child-loving level and attitudes towards the teaching profession (r = .46; p <.01). In the research, it was observed that professional attitudes of teacher candidates were moderately affected by child love. For this reason, it is suggested that more pedagogical training should be given to candidate teachers during undergraduate education and that this education should be reinforced with practice lessons.