Ценности и самовыражение студентов отечественных и зарубежных вузов
Self-expression within the value system of prospective preschool educators

Summary/Abstract: Introduction. The article focuses on preschool teacher education and examines how self-expression is represented within the professional value system of preschool educators. The purpose of the research is to identify the peculiarities of self-expression within value systems of first-year undergraduate students who are making a degree in the Institute of Childhood of Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University (Russia) and to compare students’ values of a range of Russian and foreign universities. Materials and Methods. The paper draws upon data obtained by means of V.V. Sopov and L.V. Carpushina’s morphological test of life values. The cohort of 116 students were recruited for this study. In order to explore values of foreign students, the authors analyzed relevant research publications. Results. The results of the study indicate that positive experience of self-expression within the framework of initial teacher education contributes greatly to successful professional performance of prospective preschool educators and improves their interpersonal skills. The authors have distinguished two aspects within the structure of self-expression: the internal (self-disclosure) and the external (self-presentation) which contribute to creating the desirable image of prospective educators in the eye of other people. The authors emphasize that self-expression is based on personal values. It can be a separate element of personal values or integrated into other values. The analysis of Russian and foreign studies has shown differences in undergraduate students’ values. The study show that foreign students place special emphasis on values of social contacts and interpersonal interactions. On the other hand, self-expression of Russian students is based on their own needs, desires, and feelings. Conclusions. The authors conclude that first-year undergraduate students who are making a degree in the Institute of Childhood of Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University place special emphasis on such values as social contacts, self-development, creativity, and achievements.

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