Povzetek
Vrtec in šola sta pomembni okolji za krepitev dobrega duševnega zdravja otrok. To je eden temeljnih dejavnikov za zdrav razvoj in kakovost njihovega življenja. S ciljem krepitve dobrega počutja in promocije duševnega zdravja v vzgojno-izobraževalnih zavodih izvajajo različne programe in aktivnosti. V prispevku predstavljamo izkušnje z izvajanjem programa za krepitev moči prijaznosti, ki smo ga v Sloveniji začeli izvajati leta 2019. Cilj programa je z uvajanjem prakse čuječnosti pri otrocih krepiti zmožnost uravnavanja misli in čustev, spodbujati prijaznost, sočutje in hvaležnost ter s tem prispevati k njihovemu dobremu počutju in duševnemu zdravju. Otroci v okviru programa na njihovi starosti primeren način spoznajo in vadijo različne strategije za razvijanje in krepitev čustvenega, miselnega in telesnega ravnovesja. Rezultati študije, ki so jo opravili avtorji v ZDA, kažejo, da ima program pozitiven učinek na samoregulacijo in prosocialna vedenja pri predšolskih otrocih.
Abstract
Promoting Children‘s Prosocial Behaviour and Good Mental Health through a Programme for Enhancing the Power of Kindness
Kindergarten and school are important environments for enhancing children‘s mental health, which is an essential factor in their healthy development and quality of life. With the aim of enhancing well-being and promoting mental health, educational institutions carry out various programmes and activities. The article presents our experience with the Programme for Enhancing the Power of Kindness, which we began implementing in Slovenia in 2019. The programme‘s objective is to introduce the practice of mindfulness to children in order to strengthen their ability to regulate their thoughts and emotions; to encourage kindness, compassion and gratitude, and thus improve their well-being and mental health. Under the programme, children learn about and practise different strategies for developing and enhancing an emotional, mental and physical balance, in age-appropriate ways. The results of a study conducted by the programme‘s authors in the USA show that the programme has a positive impact on self-regulation and prosocial behaviour in preschool children.