Empathy and prosocial behaviour of young children in the perception of parents

Abstract

Values education, shaping positive values and attitudes, has a special place in education from an early age. Supporting the development of children's prosocial behaviours, focused on others, has recently been marginalized by both parents and teachers focusing more on antisocial, externalizing behaviors. The aim of the research was to assess the level of empathy and prosocial and externalizing behaviours in 398 children aged 2.5-4 years staying at home and attending nurseries/kindergartens. Statistical analyzes confirmed the existence of gender differences between the children. There is also a relationship between empathy, prosociality and positive and negative socialization of young children, as well as between the age and education of parents and the level of empathy and prosocial behaviour of children. The results were discussed in the context of practical implications.