1. Art for well-being : insights into early childhood education in Slovenia and IcelandPetra Štirn Janota, Kristin Dyrfjord, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: In this article, we explore how arts education promotes well-being in preschool education by comparing the views of Slovenian and Icelandic educators and students. In Slovenia, a structured curriculum approach predominates, while in Iceland creativity, learning in nature and finding solutions in an open learning environment are emphasised. Both approaches promote emotional expression, ethical awareness, and sustainable education. We highlight the challenges in teacher training and emphasise the need for training and inclusion of pedagogical practises in the arts in relation to health and well-being, while also demonstrating the importance of the arts experience for the health and well-being of both educators and preschool students.
Keywords: cultural and arts education, health, preschool education, well-being, preschool teacher education
Published in DKUM: 07.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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2. Art portfolios in preschool teachers’ initial education as a means of acquiring professional competences and reflective practiceMarijana Županić Benić, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The study sought to examine the art portfolios of second-year undergraduate students of Early and Preschool Education at the Faculty of Teacher Education in Zagreb and their reflections on their own artwork. The aim was to examine how students experience, reflect on and interpret their creative work process. By reflecting, students acquire deeper understanding of art expression and perfect the ability to plan and evaluate visual art activities for implementation in their future work with children. The results show that students whose reflections on their own artwork through portfolios are more detailed show greater levels of self-awareness, creativity and pedagogical competence.
Keywords: reflection, visual art education, portfolios, preschool teachers, professional competences
Published in DKUM: 02.10.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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3. Stress in the preschool profession : action researchTonča Jukić, Iskra Tomić Kaselj, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Stress has become an integral part of modern humans’ busy lives. One of the professions in which stress is highly prevalent is that of a preschool teacher. Therefore, action research was conducted in a higher education context aimed at reducing preschool teacher stress. After one month of introducing changes that met teachers’ interests and needs and realizing their baseline values, teacher stress was reduced. Moreover, the research produced multiple benefits on both the personal and professional levels. The paper points to the need to organize a motivating pedagogical environment in higher education, which will make positive changes in students’ lives and in their professional development.
Keywords: experiential teaching, occupational stress, preschool teachers, values, well-being
Published in DKUM: 30.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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4. TiDE model - Creating plurilingual digital materials with future preschool teachersAnita Sila, Andreja Klančar, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This article deals with developing plurilingual digital content with future preschool teachers. We present the TiDE (Teaching in Digital Education) model which promotes the development of digital didactic materials and relevant digital competences through active, experience-based, and interdisciplinary learning. A qualitative study was conducted focused on the process of designing new digital didactic materials for raising plurilingual awareness, i.e. stop-motion videos for preschool children. The data were obtained by analysing 16 stop-motion videos and feedback from 60 Slovenian first-year students of preschool education at the University of Primorska. The results suggest that new digital technologies can be very effective in developing engaging, effective, and learner-centered resources that promote students' plurilingual awareness and an open attitude towards linguistic and cultural diversity.
Keywords: stop-motion video, plurilingual education, future preschool teachers, digital technologies, TiDE model
Published in DKUM: 29.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 6
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5. Multilingual educational practices at pre-primary level in Slovenia, Austria, Italy and Croatia : a comparative analysisMojca Žefran, Natascha J. Taslimi, Silvia Toniolo, Lorena Lazarić, 2024, review article Abstract: The paper presents findings from a scoping review of scientific articles, projects, networks, and legal documents concerning multilingual practices at the pre-primary level in Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, and Italy aimed at exploring the extent and nature of multilingual educational practices, as well as research findings related to multilingual education at the pre-primary level in these countries. The primary objective was to assess the current situation, challenges, and future prospects of multilingual practices in preschool institutions. The results offer valuable insights into multilingual practices in these countries, highlighting the need for enhancing teachers' competence to effectively work in linguistically diverse environments.
Keywords: multilingualism, multiculturalism, linguistic and cultural diversity, multilingual preschool education
Published in DKUM: 29.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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6. Motor efficiency in relation to body weight status and gender in preschool childrenMiran Muhič, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Deficits in motor skills and function are associated with overweight and obesity in children. This study aimed to investigate the development of motor efficiency in 3-4-year-old children over seven months and to identify possible gender and body weight status differences in motor efficiency. In the study, there were 45 children (21 girls, 24 boys), the mean age of whom was 39 months. Analysis of the results of testing for differences in motor efficiency according to body weight status and movement components showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between healthy weight and overweight children.
Keywords: motor efficiency, motor abilities, body weight status, preschool children
Published in DKUM: 29.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 8
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7. Recommendation systems, parents, and preschool children : the story behind digital technologyLorena Mihelač, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A survey was conducted in November 2023, involving 554 Slovenian parents and their preschool-aged children. The survey aimed to investigate the following: (i) the way parents and their preschool-aged children employ social media and digital technology; (ii) the parents’ comprehension of the term “information bubbles”, and (iii) the parents’ awareness of recommendation systems. Parental and child digital technology patterns and behaviours are correlated, according to the findings. The results suggest that most parents have a restricted understanding of the operational mechanisms of recommendation systems and how they contribute to the construction of “information bubbles.”
Keywords: recommendation systems, parents and preschool children, digital technology, social media
Published in DKUM: 29.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 4
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8. The picture book and its role in preschool mathematics educationSanja Maričić, Mirjana Stakić, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The paper examines the role of the picture book as a learning resource in preschool mathematics education and illustrates the possibilities for its application. The paper aims to examine whether preschool teachers use picture books in preschool mathematics education, what areas of mathematics they most use these for, and whether they recognize methodological advantages to their application. Results show that half of preschool teachers use the picture book as a teaching resource in preschool mathematics education, that it is mostly used to develop the concept of natural numbers and spatial relations, as well as that teachers clearly perceive methodological advantages.
Keywords: child, picture book, preschool mathematics education, preschool teacher, speech development
Published in DKUM: 28.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 2
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9. Subjectively perceived importance of education by university students at the beginning of their studiesRadmila Burkovičová, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The article investigates students perception of the importance of education and its rationale at the beginning of their studies. Fifty-seven students from the bachelor’s programme Teacher Training for Kindergarten from 2018/2019 to 2021/2022 participated. The sampling was based on convenience. A qualitative approach was used through open verbal statements transcribed into a text. The individual importance of education to students at the beginning of the first semester and their personal justifications for the importance of education were identified, representing several categories. We found the following dimensions for the categories of the meaning of education (personal goal category) and personal definition of education (categories: association with context; from individual to society; on the background of historical development; personality development and evolution; essence; mode of acquisition; value; through the lens of the present; Dionysian conception; general overview; confused definitions).
Keywords: importance of education, definition of education, teacher training for kindergarten, preschool teaching
Published in DKUM: 25.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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10. The role of songbooks in the preservation of children’s folk songs in kindergartenLorena Mihelač, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: The paper presents an analysis of songbooks used in kindergarten. It outlines the need for renewal of the existing kindergarten curriculum from the perspective of preserving the Slovenian music tradition, and within this context, the indispensable role of children’s folk songs in the preservation of Slovenian folk music. Furthermore, it tackles the following three issues: (i) the disproportionate representation of children’s folk songs and author songs in songbooks; (ii) the information provided about children’s folk songs in songbooks, and (iii) the representation of children’s folk songs in kindergarten.
Keywords: children’s folk songs, preschool education, songbooks
Published in DKUM: 25.07.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 5
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