Factors of forming moral behavior in preschool age

Abstract

The article presents the theoretical analysis of the factors which influence the formation of preschool children’s moral behavior. The authors of the article define the notion of “moralityˮ as one of the requirements of the society to human behavior, which determines humans’ responsibilities and attitudes to each other and to the society as a whole, and creates universal norms and rules of human behavior. The study is based on the typological analysis conducted by O. Zabolotska, which took into account the criteria of controllability – uncontrollability, and allowed characterizing the main factors of forming preschool children’s moral behavior of direct or indirect influence. They were divided into two groups: generalized factors which are indirect or medited, and specified ones, which are direct and controlled. The group of generalized factors included communication with adults and peers, games, some common activities, including learning, listening to fairy tales, watching cartoons and TV shows, parenting styles. The specified factors of childrenʼs moral behavior are characterized as setting requirements for the childʼs behavior, explaining the essence of moral behavior and special training for this, strengthening moral forms of behavior and social control, actualizing emotional experiences and empathy about the moral aspects (various forms) of the childʼs own behavior and the behavior of others. The inclusion of children into the system of moral relations helps to identify many sources of mastery of moral behavior, namely: the everyday life, acquaintance with various cultural forms such as fairy tales, proverbs, television (cartoons), legends. One of the influential factors is also the correct presentation of various information to the child by the adult (educator). Keywords: preschool age, morality, moral norms, moral education, moral behavior, factor.