| Abstract [eng] |
As children start attending a preschool education institution, family and teachers become two significant elements of the educational process. Toddlers require exceptional attention, which means that their adaptation heavily depends on communication between parents and teachers, parental involvement in the educational process and constant desire to help the child adapt to the new environment faster. The goal of the study is to reveal parental involvement in the educational process for the purpose of optimizing toddler adaptation at preschool education institutions. The tasks: 1. To analyze the theoretical aspects of the parental involvement in the educational process for the purpose of optimizing toddler adaptation at preschool education institutions. 2. To analyze the attitude of parents and teachers towards parental involvement in the educational process for the purpose of optimizing toddler adaptation at preschool education institutions. The paper consists of two parts. The first part discusses the theoretical aspects of parental involvement in the educational process for the purpose of optimizing toddler adaptation at preschool education institutions, i.e. the concept and methods of parental involvement, the experience of preschool education institutions in Lithuania and abroad, the concept of child adaptation and the possibilities of optimizing child adaptation at preschool education institutions. The second part presents the empirical research of the parental involvement in the educational process for the purpose of optimizing toddler adaptation at preschool education institutions. The quantitative (questionnaire-based survey) and qualitative (open-ended questions and interview) researches are carried out. To summarize both researches, the family plays the most important role in child’s education. Yet, not all of the parents tend to fulfill their obligations and this is why preschool education institutions provide great assistance. Assisting a child depends on the initiative of the respondents to communicate and cooperate to ensure easier adaptation. Teachers ensure easier adaptation by employing various informational means geared at facilitating communication with parents and education of children. The respondents note that personal conversations and keeping in touch help to maintain the connection and share information about the child’s education and adaptation, thus also involving the parents in the entire educational process. According to the parents, the biggest problems their children face during the adaptation period are the changes in the daily schedule and staying at preschool education institution for the entire day. Resolution of these difficulties lies in discussions and analysis of the adaptation stages, looking for faster adaptation methods which are suitable for children and developing good and trust-based relationships that would encourage optimization of the educational process. |
