The Effect of a Song-Based Values Education Program on the Social Skills of 5-6-Year-Old Children

The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the Song-Based Values Education Program on the social skills development of children aged 5–6 attending a preschool institution. Social skills are critically important for children’s adaptation to social life, happiness, and academic success. Scientific research has demonstrated that music- and song-based activities contribute positively to both values education and the development of social skills. Therefore, the systematic and planned use of music during the preschool period is considered an effective method for fostering social skills. In this research, a pretest-posttest control group experimental design was employed. The study was conducted with 60 children (30 in the experimental group, 30 in the control group) enrolled in a preschool in Istanbul. The experimental group participated in the Song-Based Values Education Program for 12 weeks, attending two sessions per week, for a total of 24 sessions. Within the scope of the program, core values were integrated with original children’s songs. Data were collected using the Preschool Social Skills Assessment Scale, with evaluations conducted by both teachers and parents. Data analysis was performed using non-parametric statistical tests. The findings revealed a statistically significant and sustained increase in the social skills scores of children in the experimental group between the pretest, posttest, and retention test. According to both teacher and parent assessments, the Song-Based Values Education Program was found to be effective in supporting the development of children’s social skills. No significant improvement was observed in the control group. Overall, the Song-Based Values Education Program contributes positively to the social skills development of preschool children.

Cite this article as: Topaç, N., & Asude Başal, H. (2025). 5-6 yaş Çocuklarının sosyal becerilerinde Şarkı Ağırlıklı değerler Eğitimi programının etkisi. HAYEF: Journal of Education, 23, 0075, doi:10.5152/hayef.2026.25075.