The European Child: Learning by doing the 3 C's- Connect, Construct And Create

Topic(s) addressed

• Research and innovation

• Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development)

• ICT - new technologies - digital competences 

Target groups

• 934 children aged 3-7 (85 with special needs)

• Teachers, parents and politicians from Europe

Methodologies

Creating the Active Learning–  a teaching/learning method and theory benefitting the teachers and students in numerous ways:

• preparing children for a global and inclusive society

• developing children's ability to construct knowledge by doing

• developing critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and language skills

• gaining life skills, flexibility and adaptability, initiative 

• fostering self-direction, and social and cross-cultural interaction

• Developing original teaching materials

• Setting up an e-Twinning project

Environments

Emphasis on the importance of the right learning environment for children’s development 

• Creative and innovative use of the learning environments (outdoor, natural environment, transformed environment, ICT)

• Sustainable use of resources (resource-saving, natural materials, reusing and recycling)

• Creating a sustainable environment relevant to the 21st century educational needs - safe, inclusive, developmental and innovative 

• Collaboration of teachers, children, parents and politicians to create a friendly emotional and physical environment

Teachers

• Teachers learned new methods and improved their competencies. 

• They gained new partners abroad and are still actively sharing experiences at the European level.

• Institutions are gradually becoming places where everyone learns– schools as enablers of innovation. 

• Teachers encourage children's curiosity, creativity, and foster research and problem-solving skills. 

• They provide inclusive education.

Impact

• The general public has been reached through surveys and meetings for the teachers, parents and politicians.

• Sharing the outcome via www.learningbydoing.lv, eTwinning project and a local website.

• Teachers became motivated and continue to organize innovative, inclusive and child-centred learning activities.

• They continue their collaborative work on the national and European levels.

• The project involved the local community and set in motion systemic change in education.