TeachingAgency in Preschool Children in the Montenegrin Context

In this study, we have tried to map the pedagogical influences in the preschool context which encourage the development of agency in preschool children. In the methodological part of this paper, we present the qualitative research we carried out in educational units in the three regions of Montenegro. Besides systematic observations (the sample was made up of 8 preschool teachers and 114 children), our study also includes conducting focus group interviews with preschool teachers (the sample was made up of 101 preschool teachers). We used the ATLAS.ti software to analyze and prepare the produced results. This type of research has not been conducted in Montenegro before. We researched all three regions of Montenegro (Northern, Southern, and Central). In this way, we obtained a sample that can be considered as a representative one. The significance of its timing is evident in preschools, as well as in peer interactions and the environment in which children spend their time. Preschools in Montenegro operate according to a structured daily regime, especially in larger groups (Central region), and there is no space left for children to use materials or research them, nor is there enough open space for childrens' implicit learning. The greatest barrier to their undisturbed work and even the encouragement and expression of the agency is to be found in the fact that the educational groups are too large. Therefore, the standardization and reduction of the number of children in educational groups are definitely recommended to improve the childrens' work and education.