Avramenko O. Socialization of Children in Mixed-age Groups of Preschool Institutions

The thesis deals with the issue of socialization of children in mixed-age groups of preschool institutions. The pedagogical factors of efficient children's socialization in mixed-age groups of preschool institutions (organization of mixed-age individuals' interaction in the common social-developing environment; providing positive stimula by the educator for the interaction in a mixed-age group that helps child's social position formation; providing active environment for meaningful enrichment of mixed-age children's communication and interaction experience in different-age children's society) have been defined. The experimental model and methodology of socialization of children in mixed-age groups that embraced such stages of cognitive mutual enrichment both junior and senior preschool-age children as: person-oriented, organization-targeted, action-directed have been developed. The essence of the phenomenon "socialization of children in mixed-age groups of preschool institutions" has been revealed; the notions "socialization", "interaction of mixed-age children", "mixed-age group of preschool institution" have been specified. The criteria (emotional and sensual, social and communicative, reflexive and active), evaluative indicators and levels of socialization of children in mixed-age groups of preschool institutions have been defined.