SOCIAL EXCLUSION AMONG PEERS AS A FORM OF EXPRESSION OF BULLYING IN A PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION GROUP

Abstract

Bullying in preschool age often manifests itself as an indirect form of bullying – i.e. by social exclusion. Experiences of social exclusion in early childhood can have a negative impact on social development, future relationships and emotional well-being of a child. In order to reveal social exclusion among peers as an expression of bullying in the preschool education group, an approach of qualitative research was used. Analysis of a semi-structured interview and pedagogical observation data revealed the following forms of expression of social exclusion among peers as bullying: exclusion from a game/refusal to play together, showing physical distance or verbal resistance to friendship. It was revealed that the initiators of social exclusion among peers are usually 4-5 years old children with excessive mobility and dominance. The results of the study research made it possible to highlight the following factors of social exclusion: special educational needs and certain personality characteristics (aggressiveness, high self-confidence, closedness, sensitivity).