This thesis clarifies the role that preschool education plays in the successful inclusion of culturally disadvantaged children into mainstream education. The theoretical part characterizes the conditions of present preschool education with regard to the specifics of families from socially and culturally disadvantaged backgrounds. The research part is aimed at identifying the views and attitudes of parents and teaching staff on the issue and monitoring the progress in the development of children during the educational process in kindergarten.

Main topic of this thesis is safety of socio-culturally disadvantaged children on the Internet. It confirms a hypothesis that these children are not adequately equipped with skills to prevent possible risks and solve problems arising in particular from the use of social networks and modern communication tools on the Internet. The author of the thesis also aims to contribute to improving the mentioned skills of children by designing a teaching methodology. This methodology employs methods of experimental education and non-formal education as well. The thesis shall submit the theoretical background and research findings on child safety on the Internet, with an emphasis on cyberbullying, cybergrooming, cyberstalking and sexting. It also discusses the issues of socio-cultural disadvantage and exclusion as well as governmental and NGO sector's approach to the education of disadvantaged children. Final part of the thesis summarizes the results of the research, including its methodology. The designed teaching methodology for safe Internet usage is disclosed in the annexe. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

This thesis is focused on the issue of children coming from socially and culturally disadvantaged environment before their entry to the compulsory education from a socially- pedagogical point of view. It describes the influence of the environment the child lives in, its family, the community, and the living conditions affecting its readiness for admission to an elementary school. The nature of work is theoretical work and research. The theoretical part of the thesis in quires into such terms as socialization, family, social and cultural disadvantage, the Roma, preschool education, and their interdependence. It describes the current methods used for recognizing the school maturity and preparedness for an entry to the compulsory education of children in the Czech Republic. It compares the most common institutional forms of preparation for the compulsory education, i.e. nursery school and preliminary classes at elementary schools that are designated especially to the children of socially and culturally disadvantaged background. The practical part of the thesis uses qualitative research methods and through document analysis, observation, and interviews it gathers information for creating three case studies, in which it thoroughly describes the family environment and the lifestyle of socially and culturally...

According to recent studies, there is an interethnic research gap that exists regarding Portuguese-American parents' knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this study was to explore Portuguese-American parents' knowledge of the symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD, how they think it impacts their children's education, learning, behaviors, and what interventions they use to address the behavioral issues and learning disabilities that result from ADHD. Guided by family systems theory, with the premise that children are an integral part of the family and cannot be understood in isolation from the family, this qualitative, phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews to gather visual and verbal data to understand Portuguese-American parents' knowledge, perception, attitude, and awareness of ADHD. Inductive analysis allowed for identification of themes and categories of transcribed data and field notes until saturation was reached. Multiple recurring themes found in this study indicated (a) lack of knowledge of ADHD, (b) lack of information provided by professionals, (c) opportunity to be educated about this neurodevelopmental mental health disorder, and (d) lack of the appropriate resources for these parents to get the necessary help needed to cope with their children's symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD. The results could bring about positive social change for this underserved ethnic minority group of people on how to deal and understand their children's learning and behaviors related to ADHD.

SUMMARY: The thesis describes a situation of the part of inhabitants of the Czech Republic that are currently regarded as socio-culturally disadvantaged. It aims to term factors that endanger a healthy and harmonic development of children living in a socio-culturally disadvantaged environment. The means of child protection are specified on international and national level and the current legislation in this field is reviewed. The thesis also deals with the position of ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic and concentrates on Romany minority. On the example of one city district of Prague is presented the lifestyle of Romany community, their cohabitation with the majority and their usage of Romany ethnolect. Possible causes of formation of socially excluded communities are listed together with social and health risks for Romany people that concentrate in such local communities. The situation in the field of education of pre-school children coming from a socio-culturally disadvantaged environment is described and legislative and executive measures to support their access to education are reviewed. Social determinants of health are termed and their impact on Roma community in the Czech Republic is assessed. The research part of the thesis deals with the education of the children attending compensatory...