Polska Sobotnia Szkoła w Medway – przestrzeń rozwoju kulturowego dzieci emigrantów polskich w wieku 3–10 lat

Abstrakt

The article presents the Polish Saturday School in Medway as an example of a space supporting the cultural development of Polish emigrant children aged 3–10. The research was based on qualitative methods of data collection: observation, semi-guided (problem-focused) interviews with teachers and parents, and an analysis of secondary sources. The institution pursues the goals of cultural education through the cooperation of volunteer teachers, parents and students. The results indicate that the school is dominated by a cognitive model of introduction to Polish culture, based on the systematic transfer of knowledge about language, history, literature and national traditions. Education is organized and aimed at developing cognitive competences, conducive to understanding cultural phenomena and identification with national heritage. Elements of the emotional model (celebrations of holidays, patriotic celebrations, artistic activities) support the process of internalization of values and symbols, while the behavioral component (participation in rituals and customs) complements cognitive orientation. The institution is thus a space for intergenerational and community integration, supporting bilingualism and building a bond between the culture of the country of origin and the culture of the country of settlement.