With open arms

Topic(s) addressed

• Learning together (social inclusion)

• Creativity (impact of spaces on learning) 

• Sustainability (natural learning environment)

• Didactic and pedagogy

• Methods to improve quality 

Target groups

• Preschool teachers and staff,

• Children, including those with special needs and fewer opportunities

• Parents

Methodologies

• Combining observation, knowledge exchange and professional courses– developing competencies through a multidisciplinary approach. 

• The gained knowledge combines various pedagogic techniques (forest pedagogy, other alternative approaches) and different environments.

• The teachers gained new theoretical knowledge and practical skills 

• All the used methodologies support inclusion, participation and cooperation. 

• eTwinning was used in the project as an online classroom.

Environments

• The project endorsed the whole school approach. 

• Teachers participating in mobilities shared their experiences and provided support to other colleagues. 

• They created a more modern, professional and dynamic environment in the organisation. 

• The kindergarten also aims to offer outdoor activities so they use learning spaces in a creative and sustainable way.

Teachers

• The influence of teachers through the exchange of practices, job shadowing, observation and a critical approach 

• Participating teachers contributed to raising the competencies of their colleagues and increasing their interest in international projects. 

• They established a European dimension of cooperation by promoting abroad good practices developed in their school.

Impact

• The participating teachers shared their experiences with co-workers and also other local kindergartens. 

• Through presentations, they encouraged other kindergartens to apply for Erasmus+ projects. 

• The information about the project was published in the local newspaper.  

• Some of the methods seen in Iceland were included in Slovenian kindergarten.

• Some biases and apprehension about international projects were effectively eradicated. 

• The project raised understanding of social, linguistic and cultural diversity.