Abstract:

At the beginning, the progress of civilization and the increase in prosperity undoubtedly favoured the enhancement of the general society health. However, there is no denying that over the past decades there has been observed sedentary (sitting) lifestyle associated with aforementioned factors which turned out advantageous for the development of the so-called civilization diseases.

Such lifestyle applies not only to the elderly, but also to the representatives of younger generation who are spending more and more time in front of computers, tablets, smartphones or television sets. Effective health education conducted from an early age can contribute to the consolidation of appropriate habits of taking care of one’s health for all their lives. The key task of every kindergarten teacher is to bring about a positive health attitude in their pupils.

The aim of the research is to analyse the actions undertaken by pre-school teachers that increase the immunity in children. In accomplishing this goal, it was examined how significant role teachers play in this aspect, because it is the teacher who stays with the pupils for most of the day. In addition, teacher’s tasks include caring about children's health by shaping appropriate pro-health attitudes. The article presents selected hardening methods used in kindergartens located on the territory of Poland and Latvia.

The comparative research was conducted in 2018 in Biała Podlaska (Poland) and Daugavpils (Latvia). The research includes pre-school teachers of selected kindergartens. The method of diagnostic survey was applied, whereas the technique was a survey and the tool, thanks to which data was collected, was a questionnaire. It consisted of questions in the field of health education and hardening methods.

The results of the comparative research have shown that more pre-school education teachers in Latvia than in Poland have greater educational influence, introducing more diverse health-oriented treatments and physical exercises in order to increase children’s immunity to temperature changes and cold diseases.

Immune system is the weapon for the common cold. On the other hand, teachers of pre-school education in Poland stress the fact that children's immunity can be effectively increased not only by frequent outdoor activities while going for a walk during different seasons but also by proper diet. Therefore, it is worth implementing new methods of pro-health education in Polish kindergartens which are based primarily on being physically active and hardening.

According to all surveyed educators, it can be concluded that the lack of parents’ attention, rare cuddling, lack of common fun and play activities performed with parents finally cause greater or lesser frustration, leading to deterioration of the child's health. The child's nervous system is closely related to the immune system. Therefore, the well-being of a child raises his immunological immunity through close relationships at home and educational activities and behaviours performed in health education in kindergarten.

The presented results of the research described as comparative are a continuation of the research included in the published article entitled "Hardening in the opinion of teachers of pre-school education in Poland". Currently, the field of research has been extended to the area of kindergartens located in Latvia.

Keywords:

Hardening, child, immunity, kindergarten, upbringing, health education.