The ELA Blog

Learning to be around nature has a considerable impact on the cognitive, behavioural and emotional development of preschoolers. This is especially important considering the state of climate change and the fact that a generation that was raised in the outdoor is more likely to care for the environment and for our planet. Outdoor  education is an innovative teaching approach that offers the possibility to address two of the most important topics of today’s society: providing long-lasting high quality education and raising awareness on the importance of preserving our planet in the face of the daunting threat of climate change.

​The new edition of the course “Outdoor education for preschool teachers” took place in Bologna from 24/11/2024 to 30/11/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Marie, Karolina, Ulrika, Sara  and Jessica from Luleå Kommun förskola in Sweden, Iva and Svetlana from DG 17 Mecho Puh in the Bulgaria.

Starting from the definition of Outdoor Education, we analyzed and discussed the benefits of Outdoor Education and the participants had the chance to share their own experience with teaching in nature. Because this course was specifically addressed to preschool teachers, the participants also learnt about the Italian education system and shared a presentation of their own schools in order to compare their different methods and approaches. 

One of the highlights of the course was the practical sessions held in nature. The first outdoor activity took place in Villa Ghigi Park, where participants engaged in collaboration games, team-building exercises, and activities designed to enhance the use of the five senses. These inclusion games provided valuable insights into how outdoor activities can foster social and sensory development, inspiring the participants to adapt these activities for their own classrooms.

The course also included a visit to a local outdoor preschool called Naturalmente Bambini, which offered a firsthand look at outdoor education in action. The visit featured a discussion with an educator who is an expert in outdoor education, providing participants with a deeper understanding of how outdoor learning can be effectively integrated into early childhood education.

Another important session focused on how to safely design and plan outdoor activities. Participants explored the risks and dangers associated with outdoor education and learned practical tips on how to design activities that are both safe and engaging. This session provided educators with the tools to plan outdoor experiences that are both enriching and secure for their students.

In addition to these activities, the course offered another outdoor session in the hotel garden, where participants engaged in a variety of subject-specific activities, including games and exercises related to mathematics, geography, art, and science. This hands-on session demonstrated how  outdoor spaces  can be used creatively to teach a range of subjects.

The course also included a segment on green skills and sustainability. Participants learned about climate change theory and were introduced to various strategies for talking about sustainability with young children. The session provided educators with practical tips and games to help them introduce environmental topics to their students in an engaging and accessible way.

The final part of the course was dedicated to wrap-up activities, including evaluation and the presentation of certificates. Through this course, participants were able to explore a wide range of activities that they can take back to their classrooms. The course highlighted how outdoor learning can extend beyond traditional classroom walls, showing that learning happens just as effectively—and often more naturally—outside!
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Discover more about this course here.

We all know it: it is not always easy to find new ways in which we can teach AND at the same have fun: using innovative methods can really make the difference when it comes to our youngest students. It is fundamental to learn how to motivate them and to enhance their learning through play. Luckily, today there are many tools available that can be implemented in the preschool environment: project-based learning, non-formal education, outdoor education and creative games are just some of the many that we have at our disposal!

A new edition of the course “Innovative teaching methods for preschool teachers” took place in Bologna from 24/11/2024 to 30/11/2024. The participants came from Gavle kommun, Sweden, with Anna Helmerson, Jessica Peter, Malin Almén, Hanna Nilsson, Helena Backlin and Christian Wikstrom.
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An Erasmus experience is never complete without the sharing of cultures and best practices: that is why we started our training with a presentation of all the schools, after a presentation of the Italian preschool system. The participants showed images, videos and they shared their best practices with the rest of the class.

We began by reflecting on what innovation means to them, transitioning to the foundational elements of the process. Our first topic was social-emotional learning, explored through emotions and theri colours, emotional intelligence and Kolb's experiential learning cycle. This approach demonstrated how reflection can lead to conceptualization and application, giving students an active role in their learning journey. To solidify these concepts, we engaged in various activities.

We couldn’t discuss Outdoor Education within the limits of a classroom, so on Wednesday, we visited Naturalmente Bambini, an outdoor center for children in the city of Bologna. There, we observed educators and children in action, and several advantages of Outdoor Education became evident. On one hand, it fosters increased motivation and creativity; on the other, it enhances psychophysical well-being through contact with nature, which in turn helps reduce stress.

The third topic, the one the participants loved the most, was Project Based Learning. We saw some examples, its different features, and how to introduce it in the classroom. Indeed it is an innovative method that allows students to delve into content in a more direct and meaningful way, starting from a topic question and trying to investigate real world issues.  Analysing the principles of PBL, the participants of the course had the opportunity to discover how teamwork, collaboration, and creativity can help our youngest students to discover the way to deal with real world problems, learning strategically and searching for the answers from the start, with the help of the teacher.

Finally, we explored the power of creativity with a lot of challenges that “forced” the class to think out of the box!

By the last day, team spirit was so high that it was difficult to say goodbye. However, we found a very nice way to express our gratitude to the other participants and in the end our group was very eager to go back and start applying all the many ideas that emerged during the course. Another great week of inspiration was over, but only to be continued back in their countries.
Discover more about this course here.

The latest edition of the course, “Special Needs and Inclusive Education: The Italian Experience of Overcoming Segregation”, was held in Palermo from November 18 to November 22, 2024. Participants came from across Europe, including Therese Nyström and Charlotta Kjellberg from Turebergsskolan - Sweden and Jurgita Sabaliauskiene and Skaidre Gaidamaviciene from Ukmergė School of Technologies and Business - Lithuania

The first key concept, “Empathy,” is fundamental for fostering relationships between teachers, students, and families. It involves seeing things from others’ perspectives, avoiding judgment, understanding others’ emotions, and effectively communicating that understanding. Developing these behaviors is crucial for creating meaningful connections within an educational setting, particularly when supporting students with special needs

The European funding landscape is rich with opportunities for educators to enhance instruction. The Erasmus+ program stands out as a key initiative in Education, Training, Youth, and Sport, providing numerous options to improve the quality and inclusivity of education by supporting a variety of activities and organizations. The recent edition of the course "Excelling in European Project Management and Design for Educators" was held in Tenerife from 10/11/2024 to 16/11/2024. Participants from various European countries joined, includingStergios, Ellinikakis and Ntanakas  from First High School of Peristeri Athens in Greece, Marie-Theres and Stephanie from BRG Pichelmayergasse in Austria, Lucia from Národné osvetové centrum in Slovakia, Jochen and Margot from Vzw Onderwijsinrichtingen Voorzienigheid in Belgium, Gábor from Batthyány Lajos Gimnázium in Hungary, Armanda from ISIS Mamoli in Italy. The course began with an in-depth examination of the European funding landscape. Participants took part in team-building activities, assessed their needs and expectations, and gained insights into funding opportunities, particularly emphasizing Erasmus+ and other relevant programs identified during the needs assessment phase. Participants then embarked on a collaborative project initiative, designed to develop and improve throughout the training week with the support of trainers. They began by discussing their main project ideas, assessing potential funding programs and related actions, before organizing themselves into groups accordingly. The course proceeded with an introduction to Project Cycle Management and the Logical Framework Approach, which serve as crucial theoretical foundations in European Project Design. As the project advanced, participants concentrated on developing problem and objective trees.

The group also examined practical insights from EU-funded projects, aiming to assess the impact of an effective Work Breakdown Structure in project design and management. Various tools for time management and project design were presented and discussed, with the goal of establishing a new focus for project initiatives: developing the project framework and activity plan. The next session sought to enhance the technical skills of course participants by exploring budgeting, eligible costs, expenditure planning, and monitoring. As the course came to a close, participants and trainers exchanged valuable insights, best practices, tips, and strategies related to effective project management, event organization, promotion, and community engagement. Participants were guided through the process of presenting their final project idea, simulating a pitch to a funding body. This exercise emphasized the value of effective communication in project design and management, while also consolidating the key insights, knowledge, and skills acquired during the training week. Hoping this learning experience and networking opportunity will be advantageous for their future project applications! Discover more about this course at https://www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/eu-project-design.html