An Evaluation of Educational Practices Concerning Noise Level and Noise Control in Nursery School: An Action Research

Abstract

Children are more vulnerable to noise than adults. Because their ability to select and control the acoustic environment is very limited. Today it is known that noisy environments negatively affect especially pre-school children who have incomplete hearing and language development. The aim of this Research is to determine noise levels in nursery classes and to evaluate educational practices for controlling noise. The research is an action research that is conducted with 23 students who are 5-6 years old in a nursery class in a nursery school. The main data of the study are generated from measurements made by decibel meter, observations and interviews. The first measurements established that the noise level at the nursery class was [83.79 dB(A)], which is significantly above the standards.  At the end of the education program for reducing noise in nursery school, measurements made with a decibel meter [74.52 dB(A)] indicated that there was almost 10 dB(A) decrease in noise levels. Both interview and observation results also show that noise awareness and sensitivity had some positive influence on student attitudes and behavior changes about noise pollution. In the light of these findings, in order to create tranquil learning environment in schools, it is recommended that noise awareness and sensitivity training should be provided, starting from preschool. Promotion and dissemination of noise educational practices in the nursery school are discussed.