The preschool is visited by children with different levels of development, health and living in different family conditions. The distribution of children into groups is carried out according to the age principle, and also taking into account the developmental disabilities in children, if the kindergarten has the status of a compensating institution. A psychologist in kindergarten can help to properly organize preventive, corrective and rehabilitative work with children of various categories.
A specialist with a psychologist diploma may be accepted for the post of psychologist. If a young specialist has a pedagogical education, then the number of training hours in psychological specialties should be at least 1200. A psychologist in kindergarten must have knowledge of age and pedagogical psychology, psychosomatics, pathopsychology and other psychological disciplines. It is he who can become a specialist who will increase the level of psychological culture of all participants in the pedagogical process. His consultations with teachers and parents can be educational in nature, as well as research. Unlike educators, a psychologist in kindergarten can develop and conduct research using psychological and pedagogical diagnostics, and carry out monitoring research in groups of preschool children.
Under the guidance of an experienced psychologist in the kindergarten, the practice of students of psychological specialties can be organized: educational, undergraduate. He may also be the head or co-author of psychological and pedagogical programs, which are implemented as additional to the education program implemented in this institution. Based on the results of testing projects and conducting research, a psychologist can speak at conferences at the city, state or international level, publish his articles in magazines and publish teaching aids for teachers.
The psychologist’s work plan in kindergarten should include sections of work not only with children, but also with their parents, and with teachers of the institution. Parents can receive expert advice, recommendations for correcting the development of the child in the early stages of the formation of the problem, get acquainted with the norms of development of children. Together with parents, a plan of corrective work is drawn up, with their permission, psychological diagnosis of the children is carried out .
A teacher-psychologist in kindergarten not only helps to develop programs, but also conducts classes with children. With the help of fairy tales, poems, skits and games, kids can get acquainted with different emotions, learn to track and regulate them at home. The sections of the program may include topics about children's friendship, family values, and ways to resolve conflicts between children. Using art therapy helps preschoolers to get rid of stress, relax and create such pictures that make them feel happy. The presence of a sandbox in a psychological room helps children to better understand their own inner world by creating various plot stories in the sand. The specialist comments on the actions of children, directing their imagination in a positively developing direction.
A psychologist in kindergarten must constantly improve his qualifications, be aware of new regulations in the field of education and children's rights. In the process of certification, along with the teachers of the institution, he can get a qualification category, the level of which depends on the length of service, education and work results for the past period of work. Certification is carried out at the psychologist’s workplace every 5 years with the aim of not so much evaluating as stimulating the specialist to maintain his competence in accordance with the requirements for the position.