This diploma thesis deals with the problems of child literacy and the environmental factors which condition its origin and development. My work maps the importance of external environmental determiners that affect reading comprehension and attitudes to reading including motivation and reading habits. The theoretical part looks into the elements of the children's reading process such as gaining skills and sub-skills, self-reflection and forms of aids to support reading in school and family - these two factors are the crucial ones. My work also considers the role of institutions such libraries but also the media and devices (TV, PC, the Internet). The empirical part presents the results of questionaires collected from the research of fourth grade elementary school students and their parents. The aim of the research was to see how is reading comprehension reflected in the assessment of children own reading skills of 4th grade pupils. Further, the thesis deals with how the influence of the family is reflected in the performance of reading comprehension and in the pupil's reading skills. Key words Environmental influences, reading literacy, reading habits, reading comprehension, reading self-concept.

Friendship and peer acceptance is an important facet of any adolescent’s development. Adolescence is recognised as a period of discovering and forming one’s identity. When an adolescent has a learning impairment, it impacts on all facets of his/her life, including socially (friendships). While needing to deal with the challenges of a learning impairment as well as to functioning socially, the adolescent needs to cope with these challenges as well as form an identity. In a similar vein, when the adolescent is faced with the challenges of a learning impairment, limited cognitive and language difficulties may impact on friendship relationships. Working in a school that caters specifically for learners with learning impairments, I started wondering: what role does their individual learning impairments play in the maintenance of friendship? The purpose of this study was to gain insight and understanding into the nature of friendship amongst adolescents who have been identified as having a specific learning impairment. This study took place within a specialised high school setting where the focus is to provide support to the learner with specific learning needs. This study utilised an interpretive, qualitative research approach. This study aimed to interpret and understand what is the nature of friendship for adolescents with a specific learning impairment. The study also aimed to understand how social issues such as social comparison and self-concept is understood from the participants’ point of view and finally, to understand if the school environment within which they function play any role in the nature of friendships and how does the adolescent participant interpret this role. The research design was an instrumental case study. Data was collected from two participants by means of a one-on-one semi-structured interview and observations supported by field notes. The data collected was transcribed. The data was interpreted using a colour code for each theme identified. The findings reported indicate that the participants’ view of the self is influenced by their friends. Support and understanding in their friendships was possible as a result of trust, acceptance and understanding of how it is to be facing the challenge of learning impairments on a daily basis. The learners have found a place in the school were they can flourish both academically and socially. Socially, the challenges of learning impairments still play a role during interactions with friends. Social comparison based on physical appearance was highlighted. Self-concepts have been influenced by their learning impairment. Within the specialised school system, improved self-concepts were reported due to better academic performance and unconditional acceptance by friends and peers, despite having a learning impairment. AFRIKAANS : Vriendskap en portuur groep aanvaarding is ‘n belangrike aspek van enige adolesent se ontwikkeling. Adolesensie word erken as ‘n tydperk van ondekking en die vorming van ‘n identiteit. Wanneer ‘n adolesent ‘n leergeremdheid beleef, het dit ‘n invloed op alle fasette van hulle lewens, insluitend sosiaal (vriendskappe). Terwyl die adolesent die uitdagings van ‘n leergeremdheid moet hanteer asook sosiaal funksioneer, moet die adolesent terselftertyd die uitdaging hanteer om ‘n identiteit te vorm. Wanneer die adolesent die uitdagings van ‘n leergeremdheid hanteer, het beperkte kognitiewe en taal uitdagings ook ‘n invloed op vriendskappe. Terwyl ek by ‘n skool werk wat voorsien vir leerders met leergeremdhede het ek begin wonder: watter rol speel individuele leergeremdhede in die handhawing van vriendskappe. Die doel van die studie was om insig te verkry in die aard van vriendskap tussen adolosente wat identifiseer is as leerders met ‘n leergeremdheid. Die studie het plaas gevind in ‘n gespesialiseerde hoërskool waar die fokus val om ondersteuning te bied aan leerders met leergeremdhede. Die studie was ‘n interpretiewe, kwalitatiewe navorsings studie. Die doel van die studie was om die aard van vriendskappe tussen adolesente met leergeremdhede, te verstaan. ‘n Verdere doel van die studie was om vas te stel hoe word sosiale vergelyking en self-konsep verstaan word deur die deelnemers en laastens om vas te stel of die skoolomgewing waarin die kinders funksioneer, enige rol speel in die aard van vriendskappe. Laastens is gekyk na hoe word die rol verstaan deur die adolesente. Die navorsingsontwerp was ‘n instrumentele gevalle studie. Data was versamel vanaf twee deelnemers deur middel van een-tot-een semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude en waarnemings wat deur veldnotas ondersteun was. Die data wat versamel was is getranskribeer. Die data was interpreteer deur ‘n kleur kode wat gekoppel is aan elke tema. Die bevindinge dui aan dat die deelnemers se siening van die self beinvloed word deur hulle vriende. Ondersteuning en begrip in hulle vriendskappe is moontlik as gevolg van vertroue, aanvaarding en begrip van hoe dit voel om die uitdagings van ‘n leergeremdheid daagliks te hanteer. Die leerders het ‘n plek in die skool gevind waar hulle beide akademies en sosiaal kan floreer. Op ‘n sosiale vlak speel die uitdagings van ‘n leergeremdheid steeds ‘n rol in hulle vriendskappe. Sosiale vergelyking kom voor gebasseer op fisiese voorkoms. Self-konsepte word deur leergeremdhede beinvloed. In die gespesialiseerde skool word beter self-konsepte gerapporteer weens beter akademiese prestasie en onvoorwaardelike aanvaarding deur vriende en lede van die portuur groep, teen spyte daarvan om ‘n leergeremdheid te hê. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

This study explored the relationship between cheating among university students and their cognitive developmental levels, use of neutralization techniques, self-concept as a multifaceted cognitive construct, and attitude toward cheating. The purposes of this study were to investigate: (1) The relationships between academic dishonesty and each of the following overall independent variables: cognitive development, use of neutralization techniques, self-concept as a multifaceted cognitive construct, and attitude toward cheating, and (2) the reasons behind college student academic cheating behaviors. The study used data from anonymous, self-report surveys administered to undergraduate students in-class and at supplemental sessions. Student participation was voluntary. The study was correlational. The five hypotheses were: (1) Self-concept is significantly and negatively related to academic dishonesty; (2) Cognitive development is significantly and negatively related to academic dishonesty; (3) Attitude toward cheating is significantly and negatively related to academic dishonesty; (4) The use of neutralization techniques is significantly and positively related to academic dishonesty; (5) Cognitive development, self-concept, and attitude toward cheating will make significant contributions to the regression model for the dependent variables of academic dishonesty. The data supported the first, third, and fourth hypotheses. However, the second and fifth hypotheses were supported under certain conditions. The roles of cognitive development and self-concept in academic dishonesty represent major findings.

The researcher embarked on this study, as the need was identified to investigate whether girls in primary schools have a realistic body image. The hypothesis was made that pressure from society, the media and parents might have a negative influence on a girl’s body image. The goal of this qualitative study was thus to determine how the primary school girl views her body and the influence this view has on her sense-of-self. It was anticipated that the outcome of the study would equip the researcher and social work colleagues with information that can be used in order to make parents and teachers aware of the pressures children experience and the effect this has on their sense-of-self. The exploratory study endeavoured to answer the following research questions: How does the primary school girl view her body, and how does this influence her sense-of-self? The objectives for this study were the following: <ul> <li>To provide a knowledge base on body image, sense-of-self and the perceptions primary school girls have regarding their bodies, based on a literature review.</li> <li>To use gestalt play therapy techniques to investigate the influence of perceptions regarding body image on the sense-of-self.</li> <li>To investigate primary school girls’ body image by means of an empirical study.</li> <li>To draw conclusions and make recommendations regarding the primary school girl’s perception of body image and the influence thereof on her sense-of-self.</li></ul> The study was feasible and consent was gained from the parents, respondents and organization where the study was done. The researcher studied with a bursary and costs were therefore covered by this. Eight respondents were selected at the researcher’s discretion by using certain criteria for selection. Care was given in selecting respondents who were representative of girls in the middle childhood phase. Five themes emerged from the study, namely sensory awareness, body image, the development of body image, the sense-of-self and the link between the sense-of-self and body image. Sub-themes were also identified from these five themes. Two consecutive play therapy sessions were used as data collection methods. From the empirical findings it is evident that the primary school girl’s perception of body image is largely based on the opinions and feedback from significant others. Self talk and self-statements play an important role in the formation of body image in the primary school girl. The study further indicates that body image has a direct influence on all aspects of the primary school girl’s sense-of-self and that a preoccupation with body size and shape amongst primary school girls is common. All of the respondents had hang-ups with regards to some aspect of their physical bodies, wished that they weighed less and indicated that they would want to change something about their bodies. It thus seems that girls in their middle childhood are particularly vulnerable to having a negative body image. From the research findings several conclusions and recommendations were made such as professionals needing to be aware of the potential negative impact that the media, peers and parents have on a child’s body image and sense-of-self. The recommendation was further made that professionals should encourage teachers, parents and child care workers to realize that in order for a child to develop a healthy sense-of-self and accept the way she looks, she has to receive positive feedback from significant others in her life. This study indicates that the primary school girl’s body image is fragile, and that significant others, the media and peers play an important role in the formation of a positive body image in children. / Dissertation (MSD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Cette thèse porte sur l’évaluation et la prise en charge par l’activité physique d’adolescent(e)s obèses. Deux études ont quantifié leurs réponses psychophysiologiques à un test de course intermittent en 15-15 (Rossi et al., 2009), progressif et maximal. Comparé au test navette de 20m (Léger et al., 1988), la pertinence du test 15-15 pour cette population réside dans la production de réponses physiologiques maximales similaires tout en conduisant à des vitesses supérieures et à une meilleure condition physique perçue. Deux autres études ont évalué les effets d’un programme de 5 semaines d’exercices intermittents d’intensité vigoureuse (VIT) sur la composition corporelle et les conditions physiques objective et perçue d’adolescents obèses. Le programme comprenait 3 séances hebdomadaires de types de VIT différant en durée et en activités physiques et sportives. Des améliorations de la composition corporelle, des capacités fonctionnelles, notamment chez les garçons, et de la plupart des échelles de capacités physiques perçues sont obtenues. Le VIT de longue durée engendre des améliorations rapides et régulières des échelles de capacités physiques perçues / This thesis fits the assessment and follow-up by physical activity of obese adolescents. Two studies measured their psychophysiological responses to an intermittent progressive and maximal running test in 15-15 (Rossi et al., 2009). Compared to the 20 m shuttle run test (Léger et al., 1988), the 15-15 test is considered as relevant for such population as it leads to similar maximal physiological responses, but also to higher speeds and better perceived physical condition of the participants. Two other studies evaluated the effects of a 5 week program of intermittent exercises at vigorous intensity (VIT) on body composition, objective and perceived physical conditions of obese adolescents. The program included 3 weekly VIT sessions that differed in the type and duration of the included sport and physical activities. Improvements were obtained in body composition, functional capacities, particularly among boys, and in most of the scales of perceived physical capacities. The longest VIT sessions led to rapid and regular improvements of all scales of perceived physical capacities

The problem of this study was the assessment of the value of the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, the DF Opinion Survey, and An Inventory of Factors STDCR for use in identifying personality factors significant to overseas adjustment. The following conclusions were drawn: 1. The TSCS and the DFOS lacked validity as predictors of personal adjustment as measured by the MPAS. 2. Freedom from depression tendencies (Factor D) and freedom from fluctuating emotions (Factor C) of the STDCR were significantly related to overseas adjustment. 3. The best combination of factor scores for predicting personal adjustment included D (Depression), CC (Cultural Conformity), and S (Social Introversion-Extraversion). 4. The Candidate Graduate Training Program was not effective in producing change in the psychological factors tested.

Play therapy in a school setting was studied to determine its therapeutic effectiveness on students' reading achievement, self-concept, and locus of control. The sample consisted of 24 students in two first grade classes who had been retained because of low achievement in reading. Instruments used in the study were the Gates MacGinite Reading Test, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, and the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire. Analysis of covariance, used to test the significance of the difference between the adjusted post-test means of the experimental and control groups, showed that participants in play therapy scored significantly higher in self-concept than did those who were not exposed to treatment. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in reading achievement or locus of control. Since research has shown that low achievers in reading tend to have low self-concepts, it seems reasonable to assume that improved self-concept would be related to improved reading scores. The nature of such a possible relationship needs further study. Recommendations were made for integrating affective components into academic remediation programs, and suggestions for further research were made.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate post-burn adjustment in light of the self-esteem of child burn survivors. The study attempted to assess the viability of using a single, explicit self-report measure of self-esteem (Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale) as an index of post-burn adjustment. It appears that pediatric burn patients do not suffer a compromised self-concept secondary to the burn injury and, rather, are successful in incorporating their post-burn state, physically and psychologically, into a positive self-concept. It is suggested that evaluation of overall self-esteem incorporate a comprehensive picture of post-burn adjustment, based upon psychological and physiological parameters. Further research is justified and suggestions for future examinations are presented.

Doctor Educationis / This study investigates how two groups of African pupils, namely the low and high performers in standard 9 mathematics classes in some high schools in Mangaung, construct meaning of their African cultural, individual African identity and performance in mathematics respectively. The observation underpinning this investigation is that social structural factors have not gained much attention in research as bases for explaining differentiated performance in mathematics, hence this study. To arrive at the findings mentioned below, the study used three quantitative instruments namely Mboya's Self-Description Inventory II (MSDI-II), Rotter's I-E scale and Tuekman's Mathematics Attitude Scale (MAS). Four hundred pupils who constituted the sample that responded to these questionnaires were controlled as to confounding variables like, gender, social class, exposure to mathematics and future aspirations relating to this subject. MSDI-II and Rotter's I-E Scale accessed data relating to signification of African individual identity while MAS and one of MSDI-Il's subscale, Maths Ability were 'triangulated' to access data relating to signification of performance in Mathematics. To triangulate findings on these two variables as well as to allow the sampled pupils' voices to be heard, discourse analysis was conducted on the open interviews with the two groups of low and high performing pupils in their respective schools. This qualitative approach also enabled the study to access information relating to signification of African Cultural Identity. No quantitative instrument was found suitable for this purpose. Although the study is careful not to make strong causal inferences between meaning construction (signification) and performance, the results show that (i) low performers are not sure about whether they are Africans or not since according to them African cultural identity implies an obsolete and primitive way of doing things. They are unable to identify with this. High performers see African Cultural Identity as involving lived experiences which challenge them to transform their despised status as Africans (ii) Low performers are not as positive as high performers about Africanness (individual identity) and (iii) they are also not positively inclined towards mathematics and their own ability to perform well therein, while high performers are very positive as they see doing well in mathematics as an act of struggle that would enable them to improve their social standing and that of other Africans. On the basis of the above the study is able to conclude that low performers construct meaning of the mentioned factors in agreement with the dominant discourses that see Africanness as being primitive, incompetent and unable to adequately comprehend the intricacies of modem day subjects like mathematics. High performers on the other hand tend to contest this negative definitions about what it means to be an African (identity, culture and performance in mathematics). They are thus positioned within counter-hegemonic ideology and discourses in as far as their meaning construction is concerned. Grounded on the above findings and conclusions, the study recommends that efforts should not be spared to enable the low performers (and/or pupils at risk of failing) to adopt positive meaning making strategies of high performers. These strategies may be accompanied by enhanced positive feelings about self and what one is capable of, which may in tum also impact positively on performance in mathematics, in particular. The research further argues that this goal may be achieved through curriculum enrichment, guidance, counselling and teaching, couched in the framework of African Renaissance. Therefore further research needs to be conducted that will elaborate clearly (i) what the implications of African Renaissance are on education, teaching, learning and mathematics curriculum in particular, (ii) what are the most effective means of transferring high performers' strategies of meaning construction to the low performers in the context of African Renaissance and (iii) how to strengthen and further sustain the positive meaning making strategies among high performers. Recommendations relating to curriculum enrichment in the context of Curriculum 2005 and Outcomes Based Counselling are also made as well as suggestions for future relevant research based on the concepts generated in this research.

KRISTÝNA JEŽILOVÁ THE ROLE OF A TEACHING ASSISTANT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ABSTRACT The thesis is about the profession of a teaching assistant and his interaction with pupils with special educational needs. It deals with what is the role of a teaching assistant during a teaching and how he helps pupils with special educational needs. The theoretical part explains important concepts which are crucial for this proffesion, that means joint learning, who the teaching assistant actually is and what he needs for his work and who are students with special educational needs. The practical part tries to outline the work of the teaching assistant by means of qualitative research. I was interested in how this work is viewed by assistants themselves, which I try to find out by means of research methods - interview and observation. On the basis of the results of the research, the conclusion of the investigation is elaborated, where all gained knowledge is summarized. The aim of the thesis is to find out what role the pedagogical assistants play and how they help pupils with special educational needs, how their assistants see their work, how their opinion on this profession differs and what it is the same.