The term “at-risk children”: The history of the development

The article briefly describes the development of the term “at-risk preschool children” in the historical aspect. The research is based on a theoretical analysis of the Russian scientifi c works dated 1991–2025. In modern education there is a tendency of increasing the number of preschool children of the above-mentioned group. The article characterizes the approaches to the description of this category of children in Russian education and as well as the criteria for classifi cation. Main directions and stages of the historical development of the term “children at a risk group” are also revealed in the article. The author concludes that the category of at-risk preschool children group has expanded significantly owing to the introduction of inclusive education in our country and nowadays it is especially relevant both at the stage of preschool education and at the implementation of psychological and pedagogical assistance. This consolidated information is necessary to take into account the full range of preschool children who can be characterized by the term “at-risk children». The purposes of the historical analysis are to provide a modern understanding of the term «at-risk preschool children group», as well as defining the criteria for assignment to this typological category. In future, it will help to identify the common problems of this group of preschoolers and to create the main rules how to educate and train such children in order to provide them with early assistance.