Leisure Time in Science (LeTiS) Scale

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Instrument Overview

Expert Notes AvailableView expert commentary on strengths and cautions for this instrument
Strengths

Covers multiple science domains including life, physical, Earth, and space science

Child-centered pictographic format that is easy for young children to understand

Avoids use of the term “science,” reducing confusion for early learners

Interview-based approach that supports comfort and engagement during administration

Suitable for use in pretest–posttest designs to detect changes in science attitudes

Cautions

Small number of items may limit coverage of science processes and content areas

The Leisure Time in Science (LeTiS) scale is an 8-item pictographic scale that measures attitude toward informal science. It assesses 5-6 year old perception using science-related pictures. This tool was developed as a way to measure science interest in children too young to be in formal science classes, and data from this tool can be used to design science curricula for young children. 

Organization

Topic
Student Well-Being
Collection(s): Science Instruction and Identity
Collection Category(ies)
Student Aspirations, Interest, and Identity
Tags
Science education

Content

Grades
Kindergarten,
1st Grade
Languages
English
Respondent
Student,
Parent

Administration Information

Length
8 items

Access and Use

Price

Not indicated

Contact

Esther Paños: 
Email: esther.panos@uclm.es 

José-Reyes Ruiz-Gallardo: 
Email: josereyes.ruiz@uclm.es

Link
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/tea.21675
Open Access
No
Use in Research

Nurjamin, A., Salazar-Espinoza, DE., Saenko, N. et al (2023). Learner-oriented assessment matters: testing the effects of academic buoyancy, reflective thinking, and learner enjoyment in self-assessment and test-taking anxiety management of the EFL learners.Lang Test Asia 13, 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-023-00247-z

Psychometrics (additional guidance)

Psychometric References

Paños, E., & Ruiz‐Gallardo, J. (2020). Attitude toward informal science in the early years and development of Leisure Time in Science (LeTiS), a pictographic scale. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 58(5), 689–720. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21675 Reszka, S. S., Sam, A. M., Franco-Jenkins, X., Dunn, Reszka, S. S., Sam, A. M., Franco-Jenkins, X., Dunn, C. M., & Odom, S. L. (2025). Content Validity of the Teacher Impression Scale Assessment of Preschool Children’s Peer Social Competence. Early Education and Development, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2025.2504142 
Gladh, M., Allodi, M. W., Siljehag, E., & Odom, S. Gladh, M., Allodi, M. W., Siljehag, E., & Odom, S. L. (2021). Social validity and psychometric properties of Teacher Impression Scale – A pilot study. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 37(3), 461–476. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1894401