Associate Professor at the Department of Psychological Anthropology of the Institute of Childhood of the Moscow Pedagogical State University, Moscow, Russian Federation
Background. The implementation of the task of introducing children to the traditional moral values of the Russian people, socio-cultural norms and cultural traditions of their families is highlighted among the priorities in the new Federal Educational Program for Preschool Education. Therefore, the development of methods for studying the cultural traditions of the modern family is an important practical aid to specialists in enriching partnerships with parents.
Objective. To study family traditions in the families of pupils and to analyze current aspects of interaction between preschool educational institutions and families in matters of increasing the spiritual and moral potential of young families.
Sampling. The study involved 47 teachers and 230 parents of children of early and preschool age from preschool groups of educational institutions in Moscow.
Methods. The research was carried out on the basis of a questionnaire developed by the authorsto study the traditions of upbringing in the modern family, as well as in the educational practice of preschool teachers and their interaction with parents.
Results. A qualitative and quantitative description of the data obtained using questionnaires separately for teachers and parents is presented, as well as summary tables for processing quantitative and qualitative data. The most significant results of the sociological survey related to the views and attitudes of the generation of young parents and current teachers to various aspects of the multifaceted problem of preserving and using family traditions in the spiritual and moral education of preschoolers are analyzed and summarized. The methodology of sociological survey on the study of family traditions in the practice of parental education and educational practice of teachers in communication with children and cooperation with parents was developed. A comparative analysis of the results of the survey of teachers and parents was made on a number of issues. The most relevant areas of cooperation with families to popularize family traditions are highlighted.
Conclusions. The approbation of the methodology for studying family traditions makes it possible to further extend its use beyond the Moscow region. It is important for educators to actively involve young families in the revival of traditions, keep calendars of family events and chronicles in order to form closer ties between generations and promote positive socialization of children.
The article presents the experience in implementation of innovative educational project, in which educators, students of the Faculty of Elementary Education, colleagues of the Department of Psychological Anthropology and parents with children of early and preschool age took place. Due to the project the Center for Family Education was opened at the Moscow Pedagogical State University at the Institute of Childhood. The environment of the Centre for Family Education is based on the principles of Montessori Method. Therefore, the content of the activity in the Center includes both psychological and pedagogical theories of preschool education system in Russia and strong points of the Montessori Method of education.
The article pays attention to the analysis of multiple resources of higher education institutions for the implementation of the project of Centre for Family Education, it also describes the specifics of designed and field-proved programmes of supplementary education for children and adults based on which the work content in the Centre is framed. The implementation of the research project focuses on the results of testing programs designed by the Department of Psychological Anthropology at the Institute of Childhood: “Montessori Plus” comprehensive educational program of preschool education, “Family Festivals” partial program, “School for engaged parent” educational program of psychological and pedagogical support for parents.
The first results of the “Happy children at the University” project showed that the work on the project was a good start to unite various educational interests of professional teaching community and students of the University for implementation of interesting and fruitful solutions for the benefit of Russian preschool education. Analysis of the results also assures that the Centre for Family Education as a structural department of the University is an available option for Moscow parents to be chosen for its educational programs for children since early childhood. It is also a source of personal development and educational competence.