The aim of this study was to critically examine the role and function of emotions in primary school children's meaningful learning. Emotions that are commonly experienced by primary school children were identified and an indication was given of how they relate to meaningful learning. Factors that affect both emotions and meaningful learning were also discussed. In an empirical investigation that was undertaken, it was found that emotions influence meaningful learning of primary school children either positively or negatively. The following emotions pointed to both positive and negative significant correlations with regard to meaningful learning: anger, aggression, anxiety, fear, love, joy and affection. Factors like family size, gender and the environment (life world of primary school children) also influence meaningful learning. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed.(Psychology of Education)

The primary aim of this research was to determine whether the home environment of secondary school children has an influence on their academic performance. A literature study was done where the major aspects of the home environment were identified: family lifestyle, parental involvement and attitude, physical living conditions. An analysis of academic performance and the factors affecting it was done. A measuring instrument was developed in order to measure the home environment in terms of being positive or negative. The results of the empirical research indicated that while home environment and age do play a significant role in the academic performance of secondary school children, gender, maternal employment, and whether the child lives permanently with both parents, did not. The educational implications of the findings and the teacher's role are discussed, and guidelines regarding the development of a home environment conducive to better academic performance are given. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Anotation The Diploma thesis deals with the transition of a child from nursery school to primary school. The important factor deciding on the entrance to primary school is school maturity and school preparedness. The theoretic part deals with these themes., The theoretic part further describes the characteristics of a preschool child, its entrance to primary school and school attendance postponement. The practical part investigates the whole process of primary school enrollment. It finds out how school mature or immature children are. The basic methods of the research investigation are the orientation Test of School Maturity (Jirásek), observation, casuistical methods of preschool children and conversation with chosen children.

This thesis deals with the communication ability of children living in institutional upbringing facilities. The work is divided into two parts, theoretical and practical. The first part of the thesis, which was created on the basis of perusing technical and specialized literature, provides a theoretical insight into the problematic of communication, speech and language. It also discusses the development of speech, communication abilities of pre-school children and their development. Last chapter of this thesis deals with substitutional child care, its definition. Practical part is devoted to qualitative research, whose main objective is to analyze the communication ability of children living in institutional upbringing facilities. The research was conducted in children's home and in Klokanek, a facility for children requiring immediate help. The research sample consisted of eight children, four of them living in children's home, four of them living in Klokanek. The research shows that in the investigated children appear difficulties in communication skills. As a conclusion a recommendation for practice was created. Governess in the childrens's home and Klokanek should have more opportunities to develop communication abilities of children. KEYWORDS communicational ability, institutional upbringing...

The thesis adresses the play in role during spontaneous activities children of preschool age in the theoretical and practical dimension. In my mind I have play and activities, where children are not organized or managed and have possibility to freely decided what to do. The introduction of theoretical part of thesis focuses on the importace and meaning of play in human life with insight into the history of games and lists some of its theories. The work is based on theory pf Jean Piaget, who conect the child's play with its intellectual evolution. The second chapter deals with the specific personality of the child of preschool age from the perspective of developmental psychology and development of society focusing on current needs of child to play. The next part of the thesis is related to basic characteristics of current- day nursery schools with respect pre - revolutionary period. The fourth chapter focuses on the meaning of spontaneous activities in nursery school. It identifies the role of adult in these activities, the influence of individual and social differenties of children on play and how influence heterogeneity and homogeneity of this group. The theoretical part concludes with a chapter about the game in the role and its significance for pre-school child. The practical part of the thesis...

1 ABSTRACT The diploma work titled "The parents', teachers' and day care center staff view on possibility of placing two-year-old children in nursery schools" analyzes the specifics and problems of today's families with young children. It defines the concept of early childhood, describes a child's development at toddler age, and also characterizes today's toddler. The work is dedicated to the maturity of children for entry into nursery schools. Furthermore the diploma work describes the history and current problems of the care for children younger than three years in the Czech Republic in comparison with representative European countries. The diploma work is a survey focused on three categories of respondents' views on the possibility of inclusion of children from two years of age in nursery schools as a plan for future solution of the issue of systemic agenda of day care center for children under three years of age in the Czech Republic. The aim of the research was to find out how the surveyed parents, nursery workers and preschool teachers perceive the possibility of inclusion of two-year-old children in pre-primary educational institutions and whether today's two-year-old children are ripe for entry into nursery schools. In the practical part of the diploma work there were also compared the personal...

Background: The role of the placenta in fetal programming has been recognized as a highly significant, yet often neglected area of study. We investigated placental size in relation to psychopathology, in particular attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, in children at 8 years of age, and later as adolescents at 16 years. Methodology/Principal Findings: Prospective data were obtained from The Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) 1986. Placental weight, surface area and birth weight were measured according to standard procedures, within 30 minutes after birth. ADHD symptoms, probable psychiatric disturbance, antisocial disorder and neurotic disorder were assessed at 8 years (n = 8101), and ADHD symptoms were assessed again at 16 years (n = 6607), by teachers and parents respectively. We used logistic regression analyses to investigate the association between placental size and mental health outcomes, and controlled for gestational age, birth weight, socio-demographic factors and medical factors, during gestation. There were significant positive associations between placental size (weight, surface area and placental-to-birth-weight ratio) and mental health problems in boys at 8 and 16 years of age. Increased placental weight was linked with overall probable psychiatric disturbance (at 8y, OR = 1.14 [95% CI = 1.04-1.25]), antisocial behavior (at 8 y, OR = 1.14 [95% CI = 1.03-1.27]) and ADHD symptoms (inattention-hyperactivity at 16y, OR = 1.19 [95% CI = 1.02-1.38]). No significant associations were detected among girls. Conclusions/Significance: Compensatory placental growth may occur in response to prenatal insults. Such overgrowth may affect fetal development, including brain development, and ultimately contribute to psychopathology.

This study was aimed at the description of how to support the emotional awareness of the primary school child through Gestalt Play Therapy. The research strategy enclosed case studies. A supportive literature study was done with regard to awareness, emotional awareness, emotional intelligence, emotional skills, social skills, self-esteem, the primary school child and Gestalt Play Therapy. In the implementation of the research study two case studies were described. The sampling method was based on a non-probability sampling technique. The criteria of the respondents were emotional and social inadequate functioning. Case study one functioned emotional and social inadequately as a result of the family moving. Case study two was involved in bullying activities at the school. Respectively ten and eleven therapeutic sessions of one hour each over a period of ten and eleven weeks were conducted. Both children did benefit from the Gestalt Play Therapeutic intervension. Their awareness with regard to themselves and their own experience brought them in contact with themselves, which is necessary for healthy child development. / Social Work / M.Diac.(Play Therapy) / Text in Afrikaans

Text in Afrikaans / During the initial stages of Gestalt play therapy qualitative assessment is vital within the therapeutic relationship, to gain information about the child in order to strengthen this relationship, enhance awareness and for further interventions. Research confirmed the lack and problems with current assessment tools, within various helping professions, which were addressed in this study. The board game, as a Gestalt assessment tool, was compiled for the primary school child and focuses on the therapeutic relationship, sensory stimulation and the process of the child (Schoeman-3-aspect model). Information was gathered by a literature review, semi structured interviews with two professionals and by observing the application of the board game. Valuable information was gathered concerning the child and was strengthened by literature. Relevant conclusions and recommendations were made. This board game can be effectively used by play therapists in the initial stages of assessment with the primary school child, for relationship building, sensory stimulation and determining the child's process. / Social Work / M.Diac.

The diploma thesis Cross-curricular Links Matching Proposed Curriculum for Lower Primary School deals with an issue of cross-curricular links and their usage in Maths teaching. The thesis is divided into a theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part provides an analysis of issues of cross-curricular links and curriculum integration, it introduces The Framework Educational Programme for Basic Education, characterises a curriculum of Maths and its application and other areas of education with which a link within the practical part was implemented. It also summarises important features of a Middle Primary School child and it surveys a quality of cross-curricular links usage in contemporary textbooks of Maths. The practical part contains a set of exercises that combine curricula of two areas to apply the cross-curricular links which are intended for practical usage in teaching at Lower Primary School, and evaluating part that describes and evaluates a practical course of implementation.