Development of social intelligence in older preschool children

The relevance of the study layed in the fact that the targeted development of social intelligence in preschool children was a key preventive measure that ensured their readiness for school, future academic success, and overall well-being. The purpose of this study was to theoretically substantiate the concept of social intelligence and to examine the specific features of its development in preschool children. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive approach was employed, incorporating theoretical analysis, synthesis, systematisation, and comparative analysis of both classical and contemporary scholarly works in psychology, pedagogy, and related disciplines. The main findings indicate that social intelligence is a multidimensional construct encompassing cognitive, emotional, and communicative-organisational components, with emotional intelligence playing a pivotal role. The study traces the evolution of the concept of “social intelligence” and identifies its key components, such as empathy, respect, self-efficacy, social awareness, and adaptability. A direct correlation was established between the level of development of these skills during the preschool years and children’s readiness for formal schooling, their subsequent academic success, and overall well-being in adulthood. Furthermore, it was clarified that active play activities – particularly role-play and communicative games – along with targeted drama-based interventions and emotional intelligence development programmes, are most effective in fostering socio-emotional skills, with adult involvement being of critical importance. Accordingly, it has been demonstrated that the intentional development of social intelligence in preschool children serves as a preventive measure to ensure not only individual well-being but also broader societal welfare. The practical significance of the findings lies in their applicability by educators, early childhood teachers, and practising psychologists in designing innovative methodologies for diagnosing, developing, and enhancing social intelligence among children in preschool educational settings