Gratitude and Prosocial Behaviour Among Preservice Preschool Teachers

Considering the significance of a preschool teacher's influence on children's overall behavior, this research focuses on the characteristics and positive emotions, like gratitude which are associated with good wishes and the tendency to do something positive (i.e. prosocial behavior). Therefore, the main question of this study was to explore gratitude and prosocial behavior among preservice preschool tachers, and to analyze the relationship between their gratitude, prosocial behavior and academic year and age. Results of a sample of 96 Early and Preschool Education students have shown higher levels of gratitude and prosocial behavior among students who participated in this study. In addition, the significant positive correlation between gratitude, prosocial behaviour and the students' age was determined. These findings have been discussed within the framework of preschool education students' future roles as preschool teachers who would be significant in the lives of preschool children.