THE QUALITY OF THE PRESCHOOL TEACHER-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AS THE FACTOR OF REALIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL GOALS

Abstract

The most common factor mentioned in relation to positive youth development is the quality of relationships with very important adults in their immediate surroundings, including their preschool teachers. The aim of the paper is to try to determine the quality of the preschool teacher-child relationship in our preschool institutions. The study included 225 preschool children (M = 6.3 years), 225 preschool teachers and 225 parents from different cities in Serbia. A questionnaire for preschool teachers and parents designed for the purposes of this research and a projective drawing for children was used to collect data. The results of the research show that the quality of the preschool teachers-children relationship is generally good, but that there is some discrepancy between the self-satisfaction of preschool teachers and the dissatisfaction of a certain number of parents. In their drawings and by their choices of objects and colours, children show that they perceive their preschool teachers as good, beautiful and pleasant, but in a disturbing number of cases as alienated, dangerous, unknown and distanced. The results indicate the necessity of planning the activities in the direction of improving the competences of preschool teachers for the development of a harmonious relationship with children in educational work.