Prevention of aggressive behaviour in kindergartens trough physical and sport education

The present diploma thesis studies the aggressive behaviour in kindergartens, where disrupted group behaviour and rival aggression are becoming more and more common. Teachers are aware of the children’s conduct and realize that it should be prevented or at least limited. Children should be educated in an emotionally comfortable environment, where they could feel well, emphasizing values like friendship, cooperation, tolerance and empathy. Even a healthy competition, encouraged by the physical and sports education, could be classified among the above values. The present thesis reviews the basic professional premises of aggression and aggressive group behaviour. The emphasis is on the understanding of the violent behaviour of children and on techniques placating the aggression, which could be applied in kindergartens. It presents also children's motoric development and the importance of sport in pre-school period. The goal of the thesis was to find a connection between the mentioned factors and to prove that the appropriate physical and sports education could mitigate aggressive behaviour in kindergartens. The empirical part of the thesis describes a set of exercises designed to stimulate children to direct their energy in a socially acceptable manner, i.e. sports, and to improve the development of their identity, feelings and relationships. Twenty children between five and six, who attended in 2010/11 the Kindergarten Koper, have taken part in the survey. In March and May the results were recorded in the evaluation scale, while April was dedicated to physical exercises and games. The gained results were compared and interpreted. They have proved that sport in pre-school period has many positive effects and what is more, it stimulates children's development. Children in pre-school period learn about their selves and the surrounding environment through games and sports