This training course for preschool teachers is designed to keep pace with the dynamic and changing world of preschool education, and keep educators up to date with current developments. The course is a springboard for exploring the main principles, features and benefits of the best preschool approaches. The new edition of the course “The best for preschool teachers” took place in Bologna from 02/06/2024 to 08/06/2024. The participants came from two beautiful corners of Europe, with Efi, Aikaterinin, Chrysoula, Eirini and Kostantinos from Third Special Education Primary School of Heraklion in Greece and Maria, Amanda and Ingela from Öjebyns rektorsområde in Sweden. We opened the week with some practical activities to break the ice, share expectations and contributions. The Italian education system was introduced, and we discussed the best practices linked to preschool pedagogy. The teachers also had the chance to present their schools to the others: this was a perfect way to reach a wider understanding of preschool education in the different countries involved. On Tuesday we were warmly welcomed by the staff of a preschool in Bologna, where we got a comprehensive tour of the premises and got a deep insight into the school’s values and methods. We discussed the importance of the school welcoming culture also discussed the important topic of inclusion and how it manifested within the educational systems in Italy. On Wednesday we delved further into the Italian preschool experience, and we had the pleasure of visiting a Montessori preschool in Bologna. The group delved into the Montessori method, a pedagogy developed by Maria Montessori in the early 19th century. A tour of a Montessori classroom and its materials was the starting point for discovering the method in a practical and experiential way. Thanks to a temporary exhibition by the time of the course, participants got to know another key figure in the Italian educational landscape, Alberto Manzi, and how his approach to education was close to the Montessori one. By Thursday it was time for another visit, this time to explore the wonder of Outdoor Education. We visited a local association that develops educational project in the nature inspired by the experience of the preschool in the woods. We saw kids playing in the nature and witnessed the wonder of learning through their hands, body and eyes. This experience was an eye opener on the deep need of nowadays society to bring our kids back to the authentic and real world, and the benefits this might entail for learning to respect the environment. By Friday, we introduced the Reggio Emilia Approach and headed to the Loris Malaguzzi Centre where an Atelierista guided us throughout the wonderful Ateliers of the Centre. Teachers had a chance to learn more about the history, the materials, the projects and the experiences, which make the Reggio Emilia approach unique in the world.
We concluded the week with a nice lunch in the centre, certification ceremony, pictures and goodbyes: it was time for the teachers to come back home with a luggage full of ideas and experiences. Discover more about this course here. |
Welcome to the ELA Blog. Here you will find articles and photos of our courses and have a look at the topics addressed during the week in Bologna, Palermo and Tenerife. You will also have the chance to take a peek at our projects and check out what we have been up to.
Archives
November 2024
Categories |