A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MATERIALS AND THE CURRICULA TOWARDS WRITING PREPARATION STUDIES USED IN AMERICA AND TURKEY PRE-SCHOOLS

The purpose of this study was to examine and to compare preschool classroom writing materials and the use of curriculum in class between Turkey and USA. This study was conducted with 4 and 5 year old children in classrooms in each country. Four classrooms were selected randomly from two countries, two classrooms in Ankara, Turkey and two classrooms in East Lansing, MI, USA. Document analysis was used for examining writing materials and curriculum. We took pictures of writing materials in both countries’ classrooms for identifying materials. The results showed that the USA preschool classrooms had more writing materials than Turkey preschool classrooms. Also, USA classrooms had a writing center, but Turkey classrooms didn’t have any writing area. Looking at the curriculum, while USA curriculum had direct objects about writing, Turkey curriculum didn’t have any. Findings revealed USA preschool classrooms had more opportunities for children developing writing than Turkey preschool classrooms. Implications for future research and educators are discussed.