Development of Self-Efficacy Beliefs Scale on supporting preschool children's executive function skills

In this study, it was aimed to develop "Development of Self-Efficacy Beliefs Scale on Supporting Preschool Children's Executive Function Skills – Teacher Form". The sample of the study, which was carried out in accordance with the survey model, consisted of 600 teachers working in pre-school education schools in Ankara. The data of the study were evaluated with quantitative analysis methods using SPSS 25 and AMOS 21 programs. Findings related to construct (concept) validity were determined by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In addition, it was checked whether the data showed normal distribution or not, through skewness and kurtosis values. Reliability findings were determined using Cronbach Alpha reliability analysis, item-total score correlation and item-remainder correlation. In addition, unrelated samples (independent groups) t-test was used for the discrimination test. All analyzes were evaluated at 95% confidence interval and p<0.05 significance level. As a result of EFA, the total variance explained by the scale with 25 items showing a one-dimensional structure was found to be 59.207%. In addition, fit indices were founds as CMIN/Sd=2,324; GFI=0,915; NFI=0,905; CFI=0,943; IFI=0,943; TLI=0,933 ve RMSEA=0,065, and it was decided that the scale confirmed the structure obtained by EFA and met the validity conditions in terms of fit indices. On the other hand, Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was determined as α=0.971 for the whole scale. In addition to these, it was concluded that the scale showed reliable features in terms of item-total score correlation, item-remainder correlation and discrimination. As a result, "Development of Self-Efficacy Beliefs Scale on Supporting Preschool Children's Executive Function Skills – Teacher Form" is a valid and reliable scale consisting of a total of 25 4-point Likert-type items that can be used in measurement studies to be carried out in this context. The scores of the preschool teachers participating in the research on the scale ranged from 36 to 100 and the average was determined as 75,64±17,02. It was concluded that teachers' self-efficacy levels were at a good level. In addition, teachers' self-efficacy levels differ significantly according to gender, age, type of school, location of the school, professional experience, the number of in-service training received and the number of children in the classroom; however, it was found that children's age didn't make a significant difference on teacher's self-efficiency levels.