Studia Polensia, Vol. 6 No. 1, 2017.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.32728/studpol/2017.06.01.01
Strategies used by preschool teachers in facilitating social interaction among children in kindergarten
Vlatka Družinec
; Filozofski fakultet u Rijeci, Sveučilište u Rijeci
Doris Velan
; Fakultet za odgojne i obrazovne znanosti, Sveučilište Jurja Dobrile u Puli
Abstract
Children adopt the social skills required for effective social
interaction within their families from the very beginning of their lives, while
preschool teachers organize program activities and create a stimulating
and pleasant atmosphere in which they can learn and practice. By utilizing
educational strategies, the teacher encourages social interaction among
kindergarteners and also provides a model for the development of their
social skills by demonstrating his/her own characteristics.
The aim of this research is to determine the strategies used by
teachers to facilitate social interaction among kindergarteners. This
survey was conducted throughout February, March, April and May of
2017 using one sample: a preschool teacher in Olga Ban Kindergarten
in Pazin. Two measuring instruments were used: the non-participatory
observations protocol developed for the purpose of this study was used to
record the teacher’s strategies and also the semi structured questionnaire
on the teacher’s reflections. In arrangement with the teacher, the observer
spent time with the group on approximately twenty occasions and in
three different time points lasting for five minutes : 08:35 am (breakfast
time), 09:20 am (morning circle), 10:05 am (distribution of materials and
activities) and observed and noted the strategies used by the teacher. After
the data from the teacher’s behavior protocol had been processed and
analyzed, the teacher herself was interviewed with focus on her reflections
on the collected results.
The results show that a preschool teacher in most situations talks
to children in conflict, does not punish them, suggests social interaction
rather than a command, raises questions with an interest in a child’s
thinking, takes note of a child’s ideas, encourages children to express their
desires, encourages children to co-operate and suggests means to encourage
co-operation, provides an alternative to snitching, encourages children
to be patient, encourages altruism and empathy, encourages alternative
interpretations of other behavior, encourages children to ask questions and
use polite phrases when talking. During reflection, the preschool teacher
expressed satisfaction with the methods used and highlighted the benefits
of research for further work and planning activities
Keywords
preschool teacher; strategy; social interaction; social skills
Hrčak ID:
198490
URI
Publication date:
28.3.2018.
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