The goal of my diploma thesis is to explore the ideas of children about health, movement and sport. The thesis includes the explanation of children?s understanding of these terms. It also examines the influence of family, school, television and their surroundings on these ideas. 115 pupils attending third grade of elementary school (aged 8 to 9 years) were subject to the study. The method of questionnaire survey was used in the research. The thesis concludes that pupils of third grade have quite good opinion on health, movement and sport. Other revelation is that most children at this age do sports in their spare time. Insufficiency in healthy alimentation was discovered.

This diploma thesis deals with the problem of shared custody of children at primary school in relation to their school success. The issue is viewed from the perspective of primary school teachers and from the perspective of a school psychologist. The theoretical part deals with a child at primary school and also with child, who has special educational needs. It also deals with family, parental responsibility, discusses divorce, shared custody, school success and failure. The empirical part, through empirical research, aims to answer the question: "How does shared custody affect the school success of a child at primary school?"It examines the manifestations of children in shared custody, it looks for specific causes of problems of these children or specific factors ensuring smooth course of shared custody. It collects recommendations from teachers and school psychologist on how to work with and help these children. It also provides recommendations on who to work with and how - including cooperation with parents. It shows the level of teachers' awareness of this issue and their personal views on the issue. The research is carried out through a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews with teachers at primary school and through an interview with a school psychologist. The results of the empirical...

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die motorische Leistungsfähigkeit (MLF) spielt eine zentrale Rolle in der Kindesentwicklung. Über den Verlauf der MLF über die Grundschulzeit in Abhängigkeit auffälliger motorischer Leistungen im Vorschulalter liegen nur wenige Befunde vor. Fragestellung: Liegen unterschiedliche Entwicklungsverläufe derMLF bei Kindern mitmotorisch auffälligen Leistungen in der Fein- und Grobmotorik vor? Methode: Innerhalb einer Längsschnittstudie wurden die motorischen Dimensionen Kraft, Ausdauer, Schnelligkeit, Koordination und Beweglichkeit von Grundschulkindern (N=424) jährlich untersucht und mittels Varianzanalyse mit Messwiederholung geprüft. Ergebnisse: Kinder, die vor Schuleintritt grob- oder feinmotorische Auffälligkeiten (9-15 %) aufwiesen, blieben in ihrer motorischen Entwicklung deutlich hinter motorisch unauffälligen Kindern zurück. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: In der Folge können sich erhebliche Einschränkungen für die Alltagsmotorik und das Erlernen komplexer Bewegungen ergeben. Um gleiche motorische Startbedingungen für die betroffenen Kinder herzustellen, stellt die Erweiterung der bewegungsbezogenen Förderung der MLF vor Schulbeginn einen notwendigen Ansatz dar. / Theoretical Background: Motor performance is an important matter in the health-related development of children, particularly for perception and for establishing a personal and material environment using physical activity. Developmental coordination disorders in preschoolaged children may relate to lower levels of fine and gross motor development. Short-term longitudinal studies revealed that preschoolers with motor deficits fall behind in their overall motor performance during the 1st and 2nd grades of primary school. Moreover, the years at primary school are a meaningful stage in life for children because of its rapid progression in motor-learning capability. Objective: Regarding children in primary school, little is known about the effects of developmental coordination disorders on the grade-related progression of basic motor abilities (i.e., flexibility, strength, endurance, speed of movement, coordination). This study analyzes the motor performance development of children over the period of primary school. Method: Using a longitudinal study design (KOMPASS-2 Study), we examined motor ability development in a sample of N = 424 primary school-aged children (n = 218 girls, 51.4%). To assess levels of motor abilities, we used the German Motor Test (DMT 6-18). Based on standard screening for school entry, children were separated into two groups based on the status of their fine and gross motor development. Changes inmotor ability levels were analyzed via robust repeated measures analyses of variance (rmANOVA) regarding developmental group effects, school timeframe effects, and interaction effects. Results: 9% (n = 39) of the children were classified with a gross motor disorder, and 15% (n = 62) of the children were classified with a fine motor disorder. The statistical analyses with rmANOVA demonstrated that children with developmental coordination disorders regarding gross or fine motor developmental status showed lower motor-ability levels on all test tasks compared to children without disorders. Particularly gross-motor disordered children achieved significantly lower motor-ability levels regarding coordination under time constraint (jumping sideways) and coordination during dynamic precision tasks (backward balancing). However, motor-ability levels increased significantly over time for both developmental status groups. Discussion and conclusion: Children with developmental coordination disorders may experience substantial restrictions to meeting daily physical activities and motor learning of complex movements. To create equal motor developmental conditions for children just starting school, it is necessary to promote physical activity in general. Interventions should regard a set of coordination tasks that require children’s attention and speed during movement. Measuring the motor abilities of primary-school-aged children once a year should be an integral part of communal health monitoring.

The aim of this study was to create awareness of the emotional needs of children diagnosed with ADHD. In order to reach the aim of this study, an initial literature study was executed to describe ADHD and the emotional needs of children. Semi-structured interviews and two projective techniques were used to conduct the empirical study. Valuable data was also collected from the biographical questionnaires completed by the parents. Based on the data collected and analysed, findings were made which were verified by means of a second literature study. This was followed by conclusions which served as the basis for recommendations that were made in the form of guidelines to the parents, with the aim to make the parents aware of the emotional needs of their children diagnosed with ADHD. These guidelines will be made available to the parents at a seminar that will be held on acceptance of this research. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

The difficulties experienced by children in their middle school age resemble problems with emotional intelligence. It is increased by cultural differences between the child, therapist and social environment. This research problem led to a culturally sensitive Gestalt play therapy intervention programme, to enhance primary school children's emotional intelligence. An intervention was developed, applied and the outcomes thereof studied. The outcomes relate to play therapy techniques, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The researcher made use of applied research, and thus focused on solving the social problem as stated above, and making a contribution to real life issues. A literature study, related to the concepts of the unit of analysis showed the following: The primary school child has high energy levels and presents concrete reasoning abilities. His self-esteem is based on good interpersonal relationships and achieving tasks. Emotions and other physical and cognitive systems are interdependent. Emotional intelligence is the awareness, management and control of emotions, relate to the functions of the frontal lobes and also to the requirements of a healthy individual according to Gestalt therapy. Culture is connected to the field in Gestalt theory. Cultural sensitivity in this research study meant an attitude of acceptance of cultural differences. Gestalt therapy is based on holism, which includes the environment or field. Gestalt play therapy in a group context was found to be an effective way to teach emotional intelligence skills in a culturally sensitive way to primary school children. The intervention programme was applied to pilot- and research groups, compiled from children who were assessed with the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri and Das, 1997a) and who presented weaker frontal lobe processes in relation to their other cognitive skills. The outcomes of the research study identified the most effective Gestalt play therapy techniques, which are: The healing therapeutic relationship The use of experiential learning The Gestalt principle of "biding one's time" The study also delivered some unsuspected outcomes namely a relation between right-hemisphere processes and emotional intelligence. This study is still open for further research relating to the concepts discussed above, the intervention programme as well as the unsuspected outcomes. / Social Work / D.Diac.

The aim of this study was to create awareness of the emotional needs of children diagnosed with ADHD. In order to reach the aim of this study, an initial literature study was executed to describe ADHD and the emotional needs of children. Semi-structured interviews and two projective techniques were used to conduct the empirical study. Valuable data was also collected from the biographical questionnaires completed by the parents. Based on the data collected and analysed, findings were made which were verified by means of a second literature study. This was followed by conclusions which served as the basis for recommendations that were made in the form of guidelines to the parents, with the aim to make the parents aware of the emotional needs of their children diagnosed with ADHD. These guidelines will be made available to the parents at a seminar that will be held on acceptance of this research. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

The difficulties experienced by children in their middle school age resemble problems with emotional intelligence. It is increased by cultural differences between the child, therapist and social environment. This research problem led to a culturally sensitive Gestalt play therapy intervention programme, to enhance primary school children's emotional intelligence. An intervention was developed, applied and the outcomes thereof studied. The outcomes relate to play therapy techniques, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The researcher made use of applied research, and thus focused on solving the social problem as stated above, and making a contribution to real life issues. A literature study, related to the concepts of the unit of analysis showed the following: The primary school child has high energy levels and presents concrete reasoning abilities. His self-esteem is based on good interpersonal relationships and achieving tasks. Emotions and other physical and cognitive systems are interdependent. Emotional intelligence is the awareness, management and control of emotions, relate to the functions of the frontal lobes and also to the requirements of a healthy individual according to Gestalt therapy. Culture is connected to the field in Gestalt theory. Cultural sensitivity in this research study meant an attitude of acceptance of cultural differences. Gestalt therapy is based on holism, which includes the environment or field. Gestalt play therapy in a group context was found to be an effective way to teach emotional intelligence skills in a culturally sensitive way to primary school children. The intervention programme was applied to pilot- and research groups, compiled from children who were assessed with the Das-Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (Naglieri and Das, 1997a) and who presented weaker frontal lobe processes in relation to their other cognitive skills. The outcomes of the research study identified the most effective Gestalt play therapy techniques, which are: The healing therapeutic relationship The use of experiential learning The Gestalt principle of "biding one's time" The study also delivered some unsuspected outcomes namely a relation between right-hemisphere processes and emotional intelligence. This study is still open for further research relating to the concepts discussed above, the intervention programme as well as the unsuspected outcomes. / Social Work / D.Diac.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to research the contribution of a prominent music educationalist PaedDr. Alena Tichá, PhD., who specialized in primary school children with lower music aptitude in her music education metodology. The thesis is focused to gathering basic information about biographical, bibliographical, theoretical and psychological-pedagogical characters which will not only lead to clarification of Alena Ticha's contribution and her methodology of vocal education and working with non-singers, but also to formation of a theoretical scope of our own research into this branch. The theoretical scope is focused on Czech musical and pedagogical fellowship and its awarness of Alena Tichá's singing methodology as well as on possible practical experience of respondents with this methodology when working with non-singers. Keywords Music education, didactics of music, Alena Tichá, children with lower music aptitude, non-singers, amusia, vocal education, primary school children.

Dyslexia is a difficulty in learning to read and write, with many implications for the children because of emotional and behavioral problems. The suspicion that they might experience problems with sensory integration as well, is confirmed in the literature. The purpose of sensory stimulation in Gestalt playtherapy is to raise the level of awareness of themselves and in this research, playtherapy was done with three primary school children with dyslexia. Information was further obtained through a literature study, semi-structured interviews and observations. It was clear that the sensory stimulation was part of the therapeutic sessions and led to thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. The qualitative characteristics which the sensations had for the children were observed and confirmed by the literature. Conclusions and recommendations were made according to the objectives of the study and this research made an important contribution to understanding the sensory awareness of children with dyslexia. Opsomming Disleksie is `n leergeremdheid met baie implikasies vir die kinders en wat kan lei tot emosionele en gedragsprobleme omdat hulle nie altyd aanvaar word deur hul portuurgroep nie. Die vermoede dat kinders met disleksie ook probleme ondervind met sensoriese integrasie, is in die literatuur bevestig. In hierdie navorsing is Gestaltspelterapie gedoen met drie laerskool kinders met disleksie om die kinders se bewussynsvlak van hulself te verhoog. Inligting is verder ingesamel deur `n literatuurstudie, waarneming en semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude met kundiges en ouers. Die kwalitatiewe kenmerke wat die sensasies vir die kinders gehad het is waargeneem en dit was duidelik dat die sensoriese stimulasie wat deel van die spelterapiesessies was, aanleiding gegee het tot voorgrondse gedagtes, gevoelens en gedrag. Hierdie waarnemings is in die literatuur bevestig en gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings is volgens die doelwitte gemaak. Gevolglik het hierdie navorsing `n belangrike bydrae gelewer om die sensoriese belewenis van kinders met disleksie beter te verstaan. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

In Suid-Afrika word kinders dikwels opgeneem in die Intensiewesorgeenheid na 'n traumatiese gebeurtenis. Die Kerk het die opdrag om vir hierdie kinders te sorg en wel in die vorm van pastoraat. In die praktyk ontvang kinders egter nie altyd die sorg waarop hulle geregtig is nie. Een van die faktore waarom dit nie altyd gebeur nie, is omdat daar gebruik gemaak word van 'n intervensie metode wat steun op verbale kommuniekasievaardighede. Die ses stappe van intervensienavorsing is gebruik om 'n pastorale praktykmodel in die vorm van 'n kursus te ontwikkel. Die aanvanklike praktykmodel is in gevallestudies getoets en later verfyn. Die klem van hierdie praktykmodel is die gebruik van spel as modus van intervensie vanuit 'n Gestalt benadering. Die kursus sal pastors en geestelike werkers in staat stel om effektief vir kinders te sorg. Die hoofkonsepte van die navorsing vorm die vertrekpunte van die kursus saam met praktiese oefeninge in spelterapietegnieke. / Many children in South-Africa are admitted in the Intensive Care Unit after a traumatic event. The Church is called to care for these children in the form of pastoral care. In practise children are often neglected and do not receive the care that they are entiteld to. One of the main reasons is because pastors and religious workers use an intervention method that depends mainly on the verbal skills of the child. The six steps of intervention research was used to develop a pastoral model in the form of course. The innitial intervention model was tested in case studies and refined. The focus of this model is to use play as a mode of intervention from a Gestalt approach. The course will enable pastors and religious workers to care for children more effectively. The main concepts of the research forms the basis of this model with practical excercises. / Social Work / D. Diac. (Spelterapie)