Abstract

This research will explore preschool children’s metaphorical perceptions and views about the concept of “global problem” in the context of education for sustainable development. The study will involve 20 preschool children, who are aged between 60 and 70 months and are attending a public kindergarten in ?zmir, Turkey, during the Spring of 2021-2022 academic year. The data collection process involved semi-structured interviews. Interviews were carried out with 20 preschool children on their perspectives and perceptions of ‘global problem,’ which was interpreted via content analysis. The findings of the qualitative analysis provided participants’ perceptions and views related to global problems. The sample group was formed via convenient and criterion sampling method. The data were collected through a demographic information form and a semi-structured interview form which includes a metaphor sentence and open-ended interview questions. The results suggest that the preschool participants created themes (pillars), sub-themes and eighteen metaphors regarding the concept of "global problem" during the metaphor formation process.  It was found that children's metaphors and views regarding the global problem were placed under the themes named “social-cultural”, “environmental” and “economic”. It was also found that the participants placed their metaphors and views regarding the “global problem” under the “social-cultural” theme most frequently.

Key words: Sustainable development, preschool education, global problem, metaphorical perception, opinions.