The role of the social worker in developing self-confidence, loyalty, and belonging among kindergarten children: A study applied to some kindergartens in Tripoli

Abstract

The current study aimed to reveal the social worker's contribution to developing children's feelings of self-confidence, belonging, and loyalty within kindergarten, to identify the level of self-confidence, belonging, and loyalty among kindergarten children, and to uncover obstacles that may limit the effectiveness of the social worker's role in this area. The study also aimed to present a set of proposals and recommendations that contribute to activating the role of the social worker and strengthening these values among children, in this study, the researcher adopted the descriptive approach, using an observation form directed at children, which was filled out by social workers and psychologists prepared by the researcher. It included (30) statements distributed across (3) axes, which are (self-confidence - sense of belonging - sense of loyalty). The form was filled out by the specialists, with an open question related to the obstacles that specialists face in performing their roles with kindergarten children, which they will answer. The study was applied to a sample that included (40) kindergarten children, who were selected by way of a comprehensive survey from three kindergartens affiliated with the Kindergarten Department of the Ministry of Education in the Libyan government, namely (Omar Al-Mukhtar Kindergarten, 13 children), (Arous Tripoli Kindergarten, 13 children), and (Al-Amal Al-Mushriq Kindergarten, 14 children). A sample of (15) social workers and psychologists working in the same kindergartens was selected to answer the open question regarding the obstacles that specialists face in performing their roles with kindergarten children. The results of the current study confirm the importance of strengthening and activating the educational and social programs and activities organized by the social worker in kindergartens, due to their significant impact on the positive development of the child’s personality and stimulating their sense of belonging, loyalty, and cooperation with their peers. The need to continuously coordinate training and educational programs for social and psychological specialists on educational, social, and constructive activities and methods that deal with kindergarten children, and to conduct in-depth studies and research on the role of the social worker in developing the emotional, social, and psychological aspects of children in kindergartens.