Preliminary communication

NONVERBAL SIGNALS USED BY THE PRESCHOOL CHILD

Emina Kopas-Vukašinović ; Institute for Pedagogic Research, Belgrade

Abstract

Careful observation of preschool children playing in a group
can reveal a wide spectrum of nonverbal signals. Physical appearance, eye signals, movements and touching are only a small fraction of the preschool child’s nonverbal repertoire which determine, to a certain degree, interpersonal communication and relationships within the group. This paper presents the results obtained by observing the activities of children in organised didactic
games. Our goal was to determine how children express nonverbal signals with their eyes, movements or otherwise, while trying to accomplish certain tasks. Our starting point was based on the assumption that nonverbal signals are reliable indicators of pedagogical communication and important tools for enhancing the child’s emotional development and cultivation. The identified nonverbal signals of the observed children were linked to their interest in the activities of the offered games and in their accomplishment. We further tried to find how the relationship between a child and her/his peers can be defined by the nonverbal signals s/he uses. The text also offers some suggestions to
teachers and parents on how to notice, monitor and record the nonverbal signals of children at play.

Keywords

nonverbal signals; eye signals; movement; didactic game; preschool child

Hrčak ID:

40024

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/40024

Publication date:

22.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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