| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance of the topic. The main strategic objective of the education strategy 2013 – 2020 (2014) is to “develop a dashing and independent person, responsible and independent, who responsibly and in solidarity to build his future, Lithuania and the world. However, there is a lack of employment programmes and specific services for children and young people, day centres, and other children’s supplementary education institutions. The summer holidays and employment problems of children and young people have not been resolved. In Lithuania, social care, psychological support and education for school–age children are provided by children’s day centres. Scientific problem. Research analysing the dynamics of the process of developing social skills and the possibilities of education in day centres is insufficient. This presupposes a scientific problem of work – what are the opportunities for children visiting children’s day centres in Šilalė district for the development of social skills? Subject of work: Opportunities for children attending children’s day centres in Šilalė district, social skills development(s). The purpose of the work is to reveal the possibilities of developing social skills for children attending children’s day centres in Šilalė district. Task of work: 1. Analyze the possibilities of developing social skills children attending children’s day centres in Šilalė district on a theoretical basis. 2. To explore the views of educational aid specialists (social educators, psychologists) about the educational opportunities of children attending children’s day centres in Šilalė district. 3. Explore the views of social workers about the educational opportunities of children attending children’s day centres in Šilalė district. 4. Make recommendations for children’s social skills development in day centres. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature and documents, semi – structured interviews, content analysis. Participants in the study: The study involved three education support specialists at Šilalė District X Children’s Day center and five social workers at The Y Children’s day Center in Šilalė District. Main findings: 1. An analysis of scientific literature and documents has shown that the purpose of social services provided in day centres is to maintain and restore the autonomy of families by performing the various functions required in society or personal family life, to develop children’s social skills, thereby preventing potential problems in the child’s personal and professional life in the future. Staff of the Children’s Day Centre (education aid specialists (social educator, psychologist) and social professionals (social worker) working in the day centre and developing children’s social skills, identify the individual needs of the child, draw up an individual assistance plan, encourage, motivate the child to participate in the assistance process, teach the child how to overcome life problems, choose working methods according to the individual needs of the child. The development of social skills is implemented through individual work, working with the group and teamwork with the child and other professionals. At the Children’s day Centre, children’s social skills are developed through individual consultations, social skills development programmes, sociocultural activities, involving parents, other professionals working in the field of child welfare in the process of developing social skills. 2. A qualitative study and based on the opinion of education aid specialists (social educators, psychologists) have shown that in day centers children are not only cared for, but also socialized, provided with psychological support, help in the preparation of lessons, meals and other services. Education aid specialist at the Children’s Day Centre indicated children attending day centers in Šilalė district face a lack of social skills, lack of communities, autonomy, daily life skills, emotional and learning difficulties. The purpose of ŠPS is to help children adapt in society, community, educational establishment, other social institutions performing educational functions, making more rational use of all the opportunities offered to develop, learn and grow as independent citizens. The ŠPS noted that it provides opportunities for the development of social skills through social skills development programmes, psychological counselling, individual work with the child and with the group. The day center provides opportunities for children’s lesson preparation, training of cooking, various creative and sports educational activities, and sightseeing, educational and entertainment trips. 3. After a qualitative study of social workers of children’s day centers of Šilalė district, the opinion of social workers about the educational opportunities of children attending children’s day centers of Šilalė district was investigated. The study highlighted the problems of children attending the children’s day center – such as lack of social skills, emotional skills, emotional difficulties, learning difficulties. SD educational activities in the day center are implemented, working individually with the child and the group, with the participation of children in various social skills training activities, they have opportunity to experience creative, provide assistance in the preparation of lessons, organize targeted employment, excursions, hiking, summer camps, guests invited to the day center, who share their experiences with children. In order to achieve a common goal, professionals working closely with each other work together to develop children’s social skills as complementary and supportive. |
