The influence of class management skills of pre-school teachers on their teaching styles

This study aims to investigate the effects of Classroom Management Education Program to teaching style to classroom management and children's behaviors that they exhibited in classroom. A total of 30 teachers formed the study group from Rektörlük Kindergarten in Ege University and Tıp Fakültesi Preschool (experimental group) and Karşıyaka Independent Preschool (control group) in İzmir. In this study that is conducted with pre-test, intervention, and post-test, Teaching Style Rating Scale was used in order to assess teachers' styles regarding with classroom management, and Classroom Atmosphere Rating Scale was used in order to assess general atmosphere of the classroom. Also, Semi-structured Interview Form for the teacher was used in order to reveal the forms of approach that teachers prefer to use to provide classroom management and to cope with undesirable behaviors. According to findings, classroom management education program provides that teachers in the experimental group show better performance about providing of continuity and routine in the classroom, using of the positive behaviors management strategies, becoming a model emotionally to children, expressing and regulating of feelings in class and avoiding of maladaptive behaviors. At the same time, it is observed that the teachers in the experimental group are better in the given skills than teachers in the control group. In another finding, it is confirmed that classroom management education program supports creating a positive climate in the classroom environment by providing the skills of children in classes in the experimental group such as collaborating, behaving in harmony, departure from aggressive behaviors and problem-solving to improve. At the same time, it is observed that children in classes of teachers in experimental group have better level about these skills than the children in classes of teachers in control group. Also, it is observed that Education Program provides teachers adopt the preventive and supportive rather than restrictive approach approaches in order to provide classroom management and to cope with undesirable behaviors. As a result of research, it is confirmed that education program improves teacher's classroom management skills and it is effective in creating a positive climate in the classroom environment.