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The article discusses the results of the study of the emotional well-being of 6-7 years old children of kindergartens in Moscow. The data were obtained through a questionnaire survey of children and their parents using the supplemented Children’s Barometer methodology, consisting of 22 questions for a child and 8 questions for a parent. The study was attended by 151 parent-child couples; children from 15 groups of 5 different preschools. Emotional well-being is based on satisfying the needs of the child, both basic and essential for the age at hand, and essential for personal development including personal relevance, recognition in the group, autonomy and initiative. It was important for us to hear the “voice of the child”, attitude towards kindergarten, what makes child happy and discomforting. It was found that children of 6-7 years old can express their opinion and attitude to what is happening in kindergarten. Organized forms of activity are less interesting for children than free activity; there are discrepancies between children’s and adults’ assessment of issues important for the child; children remember conflicts in kindergarten and it is important for them how the teacher resolves the children’s conflict. The educational environment and style of interaction between adults and children in groups implementing different pedagogical systems influences children’s attitude towards kindergarten, which was shown in significant statistical differences.

This paper describes the contents and working techniques of the author’s Amares Naturkindergarten in Germany. The originality of this kindergarten lies in the absence of an educational program, in the participation of children in various serious activities and in the specific organization of the educational environment.

The characteristics of the body space environment have been presented, where, unlike the national tradition, the maintenance of order is not considered as a special value since the independent activity of children is not quiet compatible with the order and invariance of the environment. The priority of a safety for children, generally accepted for the kindergartens, a barrier against possible risks, have been replaced by a toughening up, a transfer to the child’s own concern about their safety.

The examples of a child activities, including the creation of feasible products (a museum, a garden, a piece of chalk, etc.), experimentation, household economic activities, and of course play have been described. The education and child-rearing have been included in various types of a child activities. There are no traditional studies in this kindergarten. The work of teachers has been focused not at the transfer of knowledge but at fostering the independence and creative orientation of a child. With the support of teachers, preschoolers practically do everything themselves, which contributes to the development of the most important personal qualities. The role of parents is particularly emphasized as they observe the children’s enthusiasm, actively help the kindergarten staff and defend their right to such a teaching practice which is ingenious for Germany.

In conclusion, the authors note that the methods of education used in Amares Naturkindergarten fully comply with the requirements of the Russian Federal State Standard for Early Childhood Education as they have been focused on the development of a child personality, the education of independence, initiative and responsibility.