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European Innovative Teaching Award
Project

The Path of Creativity Development: From Educators towards Children

School/Coordinator: Kaunas Waldorf Kindergarten "Šaltinėlis"

Topic(s) addressed

  • Creativity and culture development

  • Vivid community model

  • Learning together in an international context 

  • Inclusive education in an educational institution

  • Development of innovative learning methods

Target groups

  • 6 (+8) teachers

  • 2 administrative staff

  • 1 specialised pedagogue

  • The kindergarten board, parents, kids

Methodologies

  • The aim was to update the Waldorf pedagogy method (a 100-year tradition) according to the challenges of today making it attractive to modern society.

  • The emphasis put on an open mind, creativity and motivation, exploring different cultures and inspiration to adapt the curriculum so it meets modern-day challenges.

  • Applying inclusive education strategies, being open to cooperation, improving rapport with the parents

Environments

  • The environment in our kindergarten encourages creativity and invites to act.

  • It is in harmony and natural relationship with nature. 

  • We foster sustainability and a harmonious view of nature.

  • The environment is adapted so children have the opportunity to observe, explore, and experiment. 

  • Following the example of our project partners, we arranged an outdoor classroom, water play areas, a weather station, an art area, weaving looms, and an oasis of natural plants and herbs. 

  • The whole school community was involved in all those developments. 

Teachers

  • Teachers updated the training content with new topics. 

  • They applied more active teaching methods (learning to count through rhythm repetition, movement and games). 

  • They adapted team-building games with both parents and colleagues.

Impact

  • Improving practical skills and knowledge

  • Raising cultural awareness, gaining intercultural competencies

  • Our staff gained and strengthened a set of soft skills (e.g. personal, socio-emotional, self-development etc.) 

  • Improvement of foreign languages allowed for the admission of foreign interns to the kindergarten, as well as inviting guest learners(from Turkey, the Netherlands, Romania, Austria) and later extending cooperation with them.

  • Enriching and improving the learning environment (increased indoor and outdoor spaces)

The Path of Creativity Development: From Educators towards Children - Lithuania
Project category
Early childhood education and care
Project year
2022

Stakeholders

Coordinators

Kaunas Waldorf Kindergarten "Šaltinėlis"

Address
Lithuania