Regarding activities of Pavasaris Society members from Dusetos

Straipsnyje pristatoma Lietuvos katalikiškojo jaunimo sąjungos „Pavasaris" Dusetų mergaičių kuopos surinkta tautosaka ir kitokia medžiaga, saugoma Lietuvių tautosakos rankraštyne. Pasiremiant turimais rinkiniais ir Tautosakos komisijos bei Lietuvių tautosakos archyvo dokumentais, mėginama apčiuopti būrelio vadovo ir metodinės literatūros įtakas atskirų būrelio narių užrašytoje medžiagoje, tikslinami kai kurie statistiniai duomenys. Vyrų kuopos ir būrelio vadovo medžiaga liečiama tiek, kiek ji padeda atskleisti bendrą būrelio darbo panoramąThe subject of analysis in this article embraces the part of Lithuanian folksongs meant for the small children. It basically consists of the lullabies and playful games, by which children are soothed, put to sleep, or cheered up. Beside its narrow applied functions, this part of folklore also develops the children’s ear for the music, their imagination, doubtlessly performing an important psychotherapeutic function as well. The latter is in the focus of analysis of this article, being discussed on the grounds of the works by the psychotherapists dealing with the art as a transitional object (Donald Woods Winnicott) and the children’s anxiety (Louise Reid), as well as the general psychology of children. According to the author, in the traditional Lithuanian rural society, singing for the small children was among the chief means of providing them with a sense of security and psychological comfort, which used to preserve its therapeutic value in the course of their entire life, as repeatedly noted by the folk singers. By analyzing numerous texts and the performing situations, as well as the personal observations and memoirs of the folk singers, the author elucidates the role played by this kind of folklore as an effective means of therapy, capable of enhancing the child’s sense of security and aiding his / her adaptation in the surroundings. Thanks to these qualities, the traditional children’s folklore maintains its great value as means of communication between the child and his / her mother even nowaday