Developing Inquiry-Based Science Activities in Early Childhood Education: An Action Research

Abstract

This study was carried out as collaborative action research aims to develop inquiry-based science activities in early childhood education. One volunteer teacher (T2) who desired to develop inquiry-based science activities, 14 of her students and the researcher participated in action research. The action phase consisted of six action cycles that reflect the progress over time. Data were collected through interviews and observations. Inductive thematic analysis was performed on the obtained qualitative data. Results showed that during the development of inquiry-based science activities, the teacher had supportive behaviors and utterances. At first, the teacher was planning and implementing at the confirmatory and structured inquiry level but afterwards, she could practice the guided inquiry and also achieved to activate all the inquiry skills during the fifth and sixth cycles. However, some difficulties originated from the teacher, school culture and parental involvement in the process. As a result, the teacher made significant progress in planning, implementing and evaluating inquiry-based science activities in her classroom for preschoolers. Finally, we conclude that inquiry-based science activities can be practicing at various inquiry levels in early childhood education.