The Development of Basic Thinking Skills of Early Childhood Students through HighScope Learning Experiences Using Educational Games

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) compare the development of basic thinking skills of early childhood children before and after participating in learning experiences based on the HighScope approach using educational games; and                            2) examine the satisfaction of early childhood children toward such learning experiences. Educational games were employed as a tool to promote cognitive development. This research was conducted as classroom action research. The sample consisted of 25 Kindergarten Year 2 students from Wat Koh Suwannaram School, selected through purposive sampling, during the first semester of the 2025 academic year.

The research instruments included: 1. eight lesson plans based on the HighScope approach using educational games to enhance basic thinking skills; 2. a basic thinking skills assessment test consisting of 20 multiple-choice items with four options; and (3) a satisfaction questionnaire comprising 10 items. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test. The results revealed that: (1) the post-test scores of the children’s basic thinking skills were significantly higher than the pre-test scores at the .05 level of statistical significance; and (2) the overall satisfaction of early childhood children toward the learning experiences was at a high level.