The Role of Early Childhood Education in Developing Social Competence of Roma Children

Social competences are developed from an early age and they are prerequsite to overcome the demands that society places before the individual. Children from marginalized groups are often isolated within society, so this type... [ view full abstract ]

Social competences are developed from an early age and they are prerequsite to overcome the demands that society places before the individual. Children from marginalized groups are often isolated within society, so this type of competence can be challenging for them. Their inclusion in institutions of early and pre-school education contributes to the development of social competence mainly because of opportunities to practice social skills.

This study starts from the assumption that social skills acquired in early childhood are precondition for successful realization of social interaction during primary education. The aim of this study was to determine is there correlation between longer attendance of ECE institution and developing social competence of Roma minority  children. Primary school teachers participate in the research by assessing social competence of  50 Roma children attending second grade. Sub-samples included 25 children who were included two years in the ECE institution, and 25 children who were include for one year in the ECE institution. The results show that there is correlation between social competence of children and length of institution attendance.

Key words: early childhood institutions; inclusion; Roma children; social competence