Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Thinking Skills and Creativity, cilt.60, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
This study aimed to identify the strategies used by preschool children during the pattern creation process. In line with this aim, a concurrent design, one of the mixed-method research approaches, was employed. A semi-structured interview form, an observation form, and the Pattern Skills Scale developed by Yıldız (2022) were used as data collection tools. This study included a total of 65 children selected using the criterion sampling method. Kruskal-Wallis was used for quantitative data, and descriptive analysis was used for qualitative data. The results indicated that there was a positive correlation between children's age and pattern skills. This study revealed that children used the strategies of identifying the unit, following the order, one-to-one matching, overt speech (while vocalizing), using their fingers, covert (inner) speech, checking, random sequencing, planning, and trial-and-error while completing the pattern tasks. This study also revealed that four-year-old children also used the unit finding strategy. In addition to these strategies, this study revealed that they used the strategies of overt speech (while vocalizing), covert (inner) speech, using their fingers, trial-and-error, grouping colors first, planning, and checking. Among these strategies, using fingers, trial-and-error, and overt speech (while vocalizing) can be described as basic level strategies, covert (inner) speech, grouping colors first, making a plan, and checking can be described as high-level patterning strategies.