Child and Institutions

Early- and preschool-aged children spend their childhood in educational institutions. However, their growing up takes place during a time spent outside institutions. Considering the fact that childhood institutionalization is nowadays a frequently discussed topic, the interest in spending quality time which is not only realized in the family community, but also, more and more, in early education facilities and other out-of-home programmes aimed at children and their improvement, is becoming increasingly important. That exact segment of life has proved to be an important predictor of the quality development of each individual. By participating in various activities, the child is able to develop a personal system of values, critical thinking, tolerance, and human and ethical values. This paper presents the results of a survey conducted in kindergartens in the City of Zagreb, Sisak, Petrinja, Velika Gorica, and Velika Mlaka. Using an appropriately constructed Questionnaire on Parents’ Opinions on Childhood Institutionalization, 250 parents assessed the importance of including children in different activities provided by early education institutions and other out-of-home programmes.Key words: child; childhood; early education facilities; leisure activities; parents; play.---SažetakDijete rane i predškolske dobi svoje djetinjstvo provodi u ustanovama za odgoj i obrazovanje, međutim, njegovo se odrastanje odvija i u vremenu koje nije obuhvaćeno boravkom u nekoj od institucija. S obziromna to da se danas učestalo govori o institucionalizaciji djetinjstva, interes za provođenje kvalitetnog vremena koje se uz obiteljsku zajednicu sve više ostvaruje i u ustanovama ranog odgoja i u drugim izvanobiteljskim programima usmjerenim na dijete i njegovu dobrobit dobiva na važnosti. Upravo taj segment života pokazao se kao bitan prediktor u kvalitetnom razvoju svakog pojedinca. Participiranjem u različitim aktivnostima djetetu je omogućeno razvijanje osobnog sustava vrijednosti, kritičnog mišljenja, razvoja tolerancije i humanih etičkih vrijednosti. U ovom radu provedeno je istraživanje u dječjim vrtićima Grada Zagreba i dječjim vrtićima s područja Siska, Petrinje, Velike Gorice i Velike Mlake. 250 roditelja je u prigodno konstruiranom Upitniku o mišljenju roditelja o institucionaliziranosti djetinjstva, procjenjivalo važnost uključenosti djece u različite aktivnosti koje se ostvaruju u ustanovama ranog odgoja i drugim izvanobiteljskim programima.Ključne riječi: igra; roditelji; slobodne aktivnosti; ustanove ranog odgoja i obrazovanja

Developmental psychology · Early childhood · Early childhood education · Humanities · Institutionalisation · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Environmental Science and Water Management · Law · Psychology