Revutska I. Body diagnostics and correction of negative mental states in preschool children

The research is devoted to theoretical and empirical study of the important psychological problem related to the need to eliminate the contradictions existing in preschool education between negative mental states and bodily manifestations. The essence of the leading concepts is determined, negative mental influence within the framework of age-related new formations in preschool children is established, the relationship between negative mental states and bodily manifestations is revealed and their classification is proposed, which is represented by interoceptive, proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensations within the somatic problems of a child 3–6 years old. According to the selected criteria (physiological, emotional, behavioral) and indicators (functional, somatic, motor; experiences, feelings, well-being; activity, passivity, personal), a complex of psychodiagnostic methods of mental states and physical manifestations was developed and introduced into the practice of pre-school education; the results of an experimental study are presented; the relationship between negative mental states and their manifestations in the body of preschool age children about 3-6 years old, as well as with their individual psychological differences (temperament properties) are revealed; a conceptual model has been developed for diagnosing and correcting the negative mental states and bodily manifestations in preschool-age children by means of body-oriented therapy. The psychotechnology of body-oriented therapy for the implementation of the correctional stage of the conceptual model has been substantiated, developed and experimentally tested, and its effectiveness has been proven. The general complex structure for the correction of negative mental states of the preschool children, which includes the ratio of the psychophysiological profile (passive - active) of preschool children with the profile of experiencing mental states and their influence on the child’s body is proposed. Key words: children of preschool age, model of the correction of negative psychic states and bodily manifestations, mental states, psychotechnology, regulation, body-oriented therapy, bodily manifestations.