Samokhvalova A.G., Ivanova N.M. Communication Difficulties for Preschoolers in a Heterogeneous Social Environment
Download PDF
Keywords:
To cite this article:
Samokhvalova A.G., Ivanova N.M. Communication Difficulties for Preschoolers in a Heterogeneous Social Environment // Preschool Education Today. 2017, Issue 9 -
p. 10–20.
This work is licensed under a Сreative Commons Atribiution - NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Abstract
This article explores the development of a child in a heterogeneous social group. The communication process for preschoolers in a heterogeneous social environment contains potential risks for the origin and materialization of various communication difficulties that are related to negative affirmations, incomprehension, rejection, unwillingness to collaborate with partners that possess different characteristics (nationality, health, family setting, behaviour etc. ). Heterogeneity is contemplated not only as a risk factor but also as a resource for children’s socialization, development of toleration, social flexibility, mobility, and communication competencies. The findings of two series of studies are presented: The first series (n=120) highlighted communication difficulties and types of communication difficulties for preschoolers in a heterogeneous social environment in kindergarten; the second series created psychological and pedagogical conditions for the development of toleration as a basis of constructive interaction for children in a heterogeneous group. The following types of communication difficulties for children in a heterogeneous group were identified: hyperactive, shy, and hysterical. It is shown that every type has specific communication difficulties associated with a low level of toleranca development. The results of an educational experiment are presented. The experiment was aimed at supporting preschoolers in overcoming actual communication difficulties through the development of structural components of toleration. The psychological and pedagogical conditions of this process are well justified (to ensure the readiness of educators to train preschoolers to be tolerant and to involve preschoolers in creative activities to design and transform the educational circumstances which create a socially heterogeneous environment).