Idiom Comprehension Level of 60-72-Month-Old Children

Abstract

This study aims to determine the level of comprehension of idioms, a type of figurative language, among 60-72-month-old children in the preschool period. The research, conducted using a survey model, involved 108 children attending three preschool education institutions. The data for the study were collected using the Idiom Comprehension Scale, which was developed based on idioms found in children's books. The scale included 18 different idioms, rated for transparency and familiarity levels and presented within the contextual framework of the relevant children's books. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the participants during the data collection, and their responses were recorded. Two experts evaluated and scored the responses, and the results were transferred to a statistical program. In line with the research questions, descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, the Friedman test, and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test were applied to analyze the data. The findings revealed that only a few participants could comprehend the idioms. Additionally, it was found that opaque idioms were understood less than transparent and semi-transparent idioms. Furthermore, children with high familiarity levels were observed to comprehend idioms better than those with medium or low familiarity levels. While age was found to be an influential factor in idiom comprehension, gender did not make a significant difference. The study results highlight the need for adjustments in preschool education programs and instructional practices to support the development of children's idiomatic comprehension skills. Based on these findings, several recommendations have been proposed.