An examination of preschool children's perspectives on the concepts of war and peace

This study aims to examine the perspectives of preschool children on the concepts of war and peace. The study group consists of 30 students (16 boys, 14 girls) from a high socioeconomic level and 30 students (14 boys, 16 girls) from a low socioeconomic level, all aged between 64-78 months, attending school in the Küçükçekmece district of Istanbul during the 2023-2024 academic year. In the research, the phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The data collection tools included the Child Demographic Form, Child Interview Questions, Picture Storybooks, and drawings related to the concepts of war and peace. The research process was completed by reading storybooks, conducting interviews about the concepts of war and peace, and having the children draw pictures. As a result of the study, the sub-themes related to the concept of war were identified as violence, war tools, death, negative emotions, war terminology, defense, evil, and negative events; while the sub-themes related to the concept of peace were identified as brotherhood, well-being, kindness, social communication, acts of kindness, inner peace, celestial bodies, school, play, love of nature, music, happiness, reconciliation, and virtue. Additionally, the children defined the concept of war as fighting, quarreling, feeling bad, and death; and the concept of peace as being good, being together, and making peace. Preschool children expressed their perspectives on the concepts of war and peace through the drawings they created. It was determined that the children conveyed their thoughts more effectively in their peace-themed drawings compared to their war-themed drawings. In response to questions about the concept of war, the children explained the reasons for war and described a place without war as a happy place. Furthermore, in response to questions about the concept of peace, the children mentioned what should be done to ensure peace and noted that the world would be a worse place without peace.