The thesis with title Presence and use of unstructured materials in kindergarten is divided into a theoretical and an empirical part. The theoretical part introduces the structuring of play material, the structuring of the environment, types of unstructured materials, the effect of unstructured materials on children's play and the role of kindergarten teachers in play. Children use different toys when playing, thus it is important for teachers to prepare the playroom accordingly and provide them with materials, that will stimulate the children's creative play (Marjanovič Umek v Braemer idr., 2006). Depending on their structure, toys are classified from unstructured play material to increasingly structured ones (Fekonja v Marjanovič Umek and Zupančič, 2006). Unstructured material allows children to use their own imagination, as it does not have a specific way of use. In this way, it encourages creative play, communication, cooperation and the development of fine and gross motor skills (Novak, 2017; Engelen idr., 2017).
The empirical part of the thesis is focused on the analysis of a survey results conducted among kindergarten teachers and teachers’ assistants employed in different kindergartens in Slovenia. It was based on their perspective and their attitude towards the presence and use of unstructured materials in kindergarten. The results have shown that not all respondents know which materials are referred to as unstructured materials. In Slovenian kindergartens, unstructured materials are at children’s disposal every day. The survey has shown that structured materials still dominate (86.89 %) in kindergartens in Slovenia and children also tend to play with them more frequently. A third of the respondents (32.79%) voiced a favourable attitude towards the use of only unstructured materials, while the rest had certain reservations. Based on the respondents' answers it can be assumed, that despite the obstacles, teachers are aware of the importance of providing children with play in an unstructured environment with unstructured materials.
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