Summary:
This diploma thesis was developed in the framework of the Inter-university Interdepartmental Postgraduate Program "Counseling Psychology and Counseling in Education, Health and Labor" and refers to the socio-emotional development of infants in the perspective of twelve nursery teachers working in public and private kindergartens in Athens and Thessaloniki . The aim of this research is to illustrate the views, attitudes and experiences of nursery educators regarding the socio-emotional development of infants. In addition, the research aims at exploring the practices adopted by teachers to promote the socio-emotional development of their students, in highlighting the factors that affect the effectiveness of their role, the difficulties and the way they are managed, as well as their needs and suggestions for a more effective kindergarten in this direction.
From the semi-structured interviews conducted with nursery teachers, research data were obtained, the analysis of which was done by qualitative thematic analysis. With regard to research findings, parents' influence was not only on the socio-emotional development of infants but also on relations with preschool teachers. Moreover, through the "speech" of preschool teachers, important practices that are applied to the day-to-day life of the kindergarten, the challenges that they themselves face and are called to manage, their need for supportive framework as well as personal and professional development with the necessary implementation of counseling this process.
Keywords:
Keywords: Kindergarten, practices, kindergarten, infants, parents, socio-emotional development, nursery teachers
