The Bachelor's thesis titled Bibarije* and Finger Games for Toddlers consists of two parts, covering theory and practice.
The theoretical part describes characteristics of child’s development in the first age period (up to the age of 3). The characteristics include the following fields: it mostly focuses on speech development. However, it also analyses cognitive, movement, social and emotional development. I have defined bibarije and finger games, their role and meaning during the toddler period and lastly the types and elements of the bibarije and finger games. The elements include play, movement, verbal and non-verbal communication and finally, touch.
In the empirical part, I performed twelve activities throughout which I intended to bring bibarije and finger games closer to children and by doing so I was observing their participation. My intention was to do a research about the influence bibarije and finger games have on progress and promotion of different development fields concerning all the children in the group. I've written down a detailed analysis in a form of evaluation after every activity.
Based on results, I have come to various conclusions. Children are very attracted to the implemented activities. They love to participate in the bibarije and finger games due to the elements of the bibarije games and the puppet (caterpillar Biba), which performs in different bibarije and finger games. These games have a significant impact on the development of the whole group. They encourage comfort, wonderful experiences and warmth. At the same time the games not only improve relationships between the children themselves, but also relationships between children and teachers (adults).
*The word bibarije is not translatable as it does not exist in English. It is a children's game played by using fingers and usually singing a song.
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