Breeding of a leopard gecko in a kindergarden and it's utilization for awakening and intensifying children's interest in nature

This thesis is focused on the theme of the reciprocal action of animals and pre-school children. It introduces us to the breeding of leopard geckos in kindergartens (with its benefits and disadvantages). Based on case studies, it describes a leopard gecko's influence on preschool children's personalities in kindergarten. The main method of research involves observing individual children as well as a group of children in a one- room kindergarten, Lísteček. Kindergarten Lísteček enrolls children from 3 to 7 years of age, so the composition of children is heterogenic. The maximum capacity of the kindergarten is 28 children and it is part of a primary school. Individual situations and interactions between the children and the geckos wer recorded by videorecording, photogallery and questionare examinations between parents and children conducted by the kindergarten. The children exhibted a natural interest in the exotic animals and the school breeding was evaluated positively. The children's interest in new information was not limited to the school breeding program, they showed interest in the natural world as well. The contact with the geckos brought the children joy, positive emotions, and were a calming influence. Other benefits were the developement of the five senses, learning to cooperate while..