Formation of Tolerance in Older Preschoolers: Development and Implementation of a Correctional and Developmental Programme

Abstract

Background. The study of tolerance in modern society is of particular importance against the background of changing social reality. Tolerance is considered as an important value setting and norm of social behaviour, especially with the growth of intolerant forms of behaviour. Special attention should be paid to the formation of tolerance in older preschool children, when social skills are developing rapidly.

Objective. The main purpose of the study is to develop a programme for tolerance development in older preschool children. This will increase their ability to communicate socially and respect different points of view.

Study Participants. 78 children aged 5.5–6 years from kindergarten No. 16 in Shadrinsk took part in the study. The subjects were divided into control and experimental groups to assess the effectiveness of the programme.

Methods. Literature analysis, mathematical and statistical data processing. Tools for psychodiagnostics, K. Taylor’s “Fairy Tale” technique and M.I. Lisina’s “Diagnostics of forms of communication”, statistical analysis using Student’s t-test.

Results. The study showed that 38% of the children had low tolerance, 53% had medium tolerance, and only 9% had high tolerance. At the formative stage, a correctional development programme was developed and tested, which included 24 group classes scheduled for three months (2–3 classes per week). The results of the control experiment showed significant changes in tolerance levels among children in the experimental group: the proportion of children with a high level of tolerance increased by 10%, the average level increased by 19%, and the number of children with a low level of tolerance decreased by 29%.

Conclusions. The experimental and diagnostic data obtained in the course of the study indicate the advisability of introducing this programme into the preschool education system, which potentially contributes to the harmonious development of the child’s personality and socialization.