Empowering Early Learning: Innovative Methods for Preschool Teaching

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.