In the thesis we focused on the role of preschool educators and teachers in speech and language development of children/pupils. We researched the influence of teaching staff on children's speech and language development, and at the same time determined the factors that influence the educational work of preschool educators and teachers as well as the factors that influence the children's development in this field beside the teaching staff. In the theoretical part we defined the concepts of speech and language, described their usual development in children, and presented views of several different authors and theories of speech development. The factors that influence the development of speech and language abilities in children were listed and described. We were particularly interested in how the teaching staff, who are in direct contact with children, influence the development of those abilities. We also looked into how and to what extent their work is guided by the relevant educational documents. In the empirical part we wanted to determine how teaching staff understand their role in children’s progress in the speech and language area and how this understanding impacts their pedagogical work. The survey included 207 pedagogical workers (104 preschool educators and 103 primary school teachers teaching the first class). The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics using graphs, tables and verbal descriptions. The analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the responses of preschool educators and teachers; both are aware of the importance of their role in a child's or pupil’s development and, following the guidelines given in the educational documents, they try to fulfil this role with the aim of optimal development of both individuals and groups/classes. Considering their experience in pedagogical work, both preschool educators and teachers also suggested some additions or changes in the field of teaching the speech and language contents in their jobs. From the obtained answers we selected the most common activities that teaching staff use to encourage children’s speech and language development, and assembled them in a brochure. Its purpose is the exchange of good practices and mutual enrichment among teaching staff in this field.
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