Participacija otrok v vrtcu - Ralević, Tijana (T. Ralević, 2015)
V diplomski nalogi je predstavljen projekt otroške participacije otrok v vrtcu, izveden po pristopu reševanja problemov odprtega tipa (angl. open-ended problem solving) (Maxim, 1997). Diplomska naloga je razdeljena na teoretični in empirični del. V teoretičnem delu je predstavljen koncept participacije, vključno z dilemami, ki se pojavljajo v zvezi s participacijo otrok v vrtcu, nadalje so predstavljeni rezultati raziskav o participaciji otrok v slovenskih vrtcih. Ker se participacija največkrat pojavlja v povezavi s pedagoškim konceptom Reggio Emilia, je predstavljena posebej znotraj navedenega koncepta. Na koncu prvega dela so opisana izhodišča projektnega dela, utemeljenega na reševanju problemov odprtega tipa. V empiričnem delu diplomske naloge je predstavljen projekt z naslovom Škrat Željko izpolnjuje želje otrok. Projekt je potekal štiri tedne v novembru in decembru 2012 v sklopu predmeta Otrok v družbi v Vrtcu Šentvid, enoti Sapramiška. V njem pa so sodelovali otroci skupine Veverice v starosti od 5 do 6 let in dvajset študentk, ki so izvajale dejavnosti projekta. Namen diplomske naloge je bil raziskati uporabo metode raziskovanja problemov odprtega tipa, ki predstavlja in omogoča demokratično participacijo otrok, visoko raven njihove motiviranosti ter ustvarjalnosti. Evalvacija projekta je pokazala, da so že predšolski otroci sposobni soodločati pri pomembnih stvareh, ki zadevajo njihovo vsakdanje življenje in učenje v vrtcu. Čeprav se sprva zdi, da nimajo dovolj izkušenj, jim moramo omogočiti demokratično usmerjene dejavnosti, saj tako spodbujamo njihovo aktivno učenje z udeležbo in pa ustvarjalnost. Pokazal je tudi, kako pomembno je otroke poslušati in jim omogočiti, da uresničijo tisto, kar si sami želijo. This diploma thesis presents project of children participation in kindergarten, based on the approach of open-ended problem solving. It is divided into theoretical and empirical part. Theoretical part describes the concept of participation, including dilemmas that occur as a result of children participation. Also, the research results of children participation in Slovenian kindergartens are presented. As participation occurs most of the time in connection with pedagogic concept Reggio Emilia, this concept is presented separately within this diploma thesis. At the end of the first part, the conclusion of the project work is described, based on solving problems of the open type. The empirical part presents the project titled: Zeljko the elf makes wishes come true. The project lasted four weeks within the subject The child in society, during November and December 2012, in Šentvid kindergarten, Sapramiška unit. The children of the group Squirrels, age 5 to 6, and 20 students participated in it. The purpose of the thesis was to research the use of methods of open ended problem solving, which represents and enables democratic children participation, high level of motivation and creativity. The project evaluation has showed that preschool children are already able to co-decide on important matters that affect their daily lives and learning in kindergarten. Although children initially seem to lack experience, preschool teachers must ensure democratic-oriented activities, as this will encourage their active learning through participation and creativity. The research also showed how important it is to listen to the children and help them make their wishes come true.