Positive parenting involves non-violent, empowering, and respectful practicesaimed at the well-being of the child. The aim of this study was to examine thefrequency and dimensions of such practices, as well as their relationship withparental characteristics from the perspective of parents of children aged 2 to 11years (N=678). A questionnaire was used, with two scales: the Positive ParentingPractices Scale and the Parenting Competence Scale. The study identified thefollowing dimensions of positive parenting practices: fostering interpersonalrelationships, recognizing the child as a person, empowering (...) the child, providingstructure and guidance, and offering care and affection. Finally, the results of theregression analysis confirmed the association between positive parenting practicesand parental attitudes, as well as certain parental characteristics (gender, age,level of education, place of residence). (shrink)

High quality pedagogical practise is one of the most important mechanisms to support families and children at risk of social exclusion (RSE) in the early childhood and pre-school education system (ECEC). This paper describes and presents the results of the evaluation of the model for the prevention of adverse developmental outcomes of children with RSE achieved through quality pedagogical practise. The contribution of using the model to children's social inclusion was determined using a quasi-experimental quantitative method. 60 educators from 15 (...) kindergartens in seven districts of the Republic of Croatia participated in the study. Before and after six months of implementing the model, they completed the scale for assessing the child's social inclusion and the protocol for documenting pedagogical practise in relation to the child. The qualitative thematic analysis describes the ways in which the application of the model contributes to children's well-being. 30 educators who implemented the model were interviewed. The use of the model was found to contribute to better developmental outcomes for children at RSE and to educators' professional development and practise. The results suggest that the pedagogical practise of ECEC needs to be improved to prevent unfavourable developmental outcomes for children at RSE. (shrink)

This paper describes research into the development and characteristics of particular qualities of democratic school culture and democratic school management in primary schools. The research involved 651 teachers from the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County. Research involved a survey that used a questionnaire containing the Instrument for measuring characteristics of democratic school management and the Instrument for measuring the characteristics of democratic school culture. Overall, the results show that teachers perceive management in their schools as moderately democratic to very (...) democratic. Rating the characteristics of school culture, teachers note the moderate development of both democratic and non-democratic characteristics of school culture; however, they more greatly consider their own school culture to possess democratic characteristics. Teachers at the beginning of their careers and those employed in schools whose current headmaster has been in his/her position less than five years perceive higher levels of democratic school management. Teachers employed in suburban or small schools perceive higher levels of characteristics of democratic school culture. (shrink)

The development of the modern democratic society depends upon the successful integration of main democratic values in all its spheres, including education. Schools are faced with these challenges as well. The main role in the process of school change is given to the school principal, who is the leader of every innovation in school. One out of many types of school leadership is called democratic school leadership. One of the goals of such leadership is the development of school culture that (...) is based on democratic values and practices. Further on, the development of democratic school leadership opens an opportunity for students and teachers to gain knowledge an develop skills needed for them to become active citizens in their communities. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the existing literature in the field of democratic school leadership. Special focus is on the theoretical and practical operationalization of the democratic school leadership as it is presented the literature. Further, we shall analyze the possible answers to the questions of why and how to develop the democratic school leadership, and what is its role in the development of the democratic school community. (shrink)