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Experience a study visit to Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Travnik, where we had the opportunity to visit a Forest School and Nursery. Learn about the key principles, setting's view of children, practitioner requirements, and issues of inclusion and diversity.
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Study visit to Manchester Metropolitan University University of Travnik - Experience
We had opportunity to visit the: 2. Nursery 1. Forest School 4. Children’s Centre 3. Primary School
Descriptionofthesetting • Private forest; • It took 2 years to develop the program; • Surrounded by nature (trees, mud ground, flowers, rain...); • Classrooms are used only in case of really bad weather with school suplies; • All the materials used for learning and teaching are adapted to the natural environment.
The key principles • Planning, adaptation and observation are the key elements of Forest School; • It supports the development or a relationship between learner and the natural world; • Promotion of the holistic development; • Principle of respect of personality and gaining trust; • Principle of altruism and empathy; • Principle of individualization; • Principle of socialization.
Whatisthesetting'sviewofchildren? • Children are included in outdoor learning and playing by using enviromental resource (triggering the natural curiosity in children); • Care of the child’s interests and needs; • Freedom to explore the natural enviroment (feeling free and confident about themselves and other children); • Intelectual, motoric, physical, tehnical and other aspects of education are developed by natural elements.
What knowledge and skills do practitioners require when working this setting? * Success of designing a quality spatial, material and techical environment in external natural conditions, but also ability to work in it; * Knowledge about child development and learning theories; * Knowledge of pre-school curriculum and its approach; * Ability to assess child's needs; * The importance of recognizing child's interests and documenting his/her work in natural conditions; * Ability to evaluate a child's success; * Knowledge of an alternative learning strategy and their effects on the child‘s development and upbringing; * Know how to create a healthy and stimulating environment * Know the ways of learning and organizing the learning process in natural conditions; * Ability to observe children; * Know how to communicate well; * Willingness to accept risks and ability to handle and deal with unforeseen situations; * Flexibility and ability to adapt to changes; * Team learning and team organization in a natural environment; * Ability to review and raise your values and attitudes; * Physical readiness (ability to overcome all obstacles in the forest area).
What issues for inclusion and diversity are most relevant for this setting? * Overcoming obstacles in changing conditions raises the self-esteem of children and strengthens their personality. * The forest area allows children to grow and develop in a natural environment. * Individual approach to each child in order to discover their needs. * This environment promotes children's physical development, but also creativity and innovation. * Creating a specific relationship of all participants in the educational process (teacher, child, family). * Knowledge, skills and upbringing that children receive while they are staying in the forest by learning in unforeseen situations prepares them for future challenges and life in general.
What is the role of the adult in the setting? To monitor the needs of each child and takes care that children feel comfortable in the place they are staying. To provide a sense of security for children and parents by his/her authority. To motivate children to express their creativity. To helpchildren to overcome obstacles and challenges which they encounter in this area. To monitor, analyze and document the work of every child. To be committed, disciplined and organized in his work.
Descriptionofthesetting • The interior is created in a way which satisfies the needs for different activities of children at different age (lots of natural materials were used); • It has sleeping room for the babies, kitchen, classrooms, big backyard with a lot of playing equippment; • It has a vegetables growing section and animal care section (chicken box).
Thekeyprinciples • Versatile content and materials which foster a complete development of child’s personality and activity; • Education and support in safe environment for children – principle of socialization and personality respect; • Everyone has the opportunity to express their individuality and creativity through different activities – principle of involvement, usefulness and versatility.
Thesetting'sviewofchildren? • Several groups of children (at different age); • High-quality care by following every child’s development by taking down the notes which are available for parents on a daily basis; • Care of needs and interests of a child, as well as their abilities; • Freedom of expressing themselves, exploration and involment in different interesting activities.
What knowledge and skills do practitioners require when working in this setting? * To know the society and the community in which he/she lives and works; * To have versatile set of skill; * To know the developmental characteristics of a child; * That he/she is capable of continuously learning; * Ability to develop the creative potential of children; * Ability to observe, analyze, and conclude; * A sense of creating an environment in which a child has the opportunity to make a choice; * To know the organization of work and discipline; * Skilled in group management; * To know hygienic habits from the aspect of child health care; * Sense of humor; * Adaptability and flexibility; * Ability to work well with parents. * Willignes to teach; * Ability to recognize differences and similarities among children; *Ability to recognize the role of the game (play) in children's development; * To have knowledge of the physical and health relationship of children; * To have knowledge of the environment and the activities that are planned and happening in it (animals, flowers, vegetables, planting, feeding animals...); * To have social skills; * To be emotionally intelligent;
What issues for inclusion and diversity are most relevant for this setting? * An opportunity for every child to take part in creating his/ her education. * Methodology and access to work with children improves the child's development in an unusual way(playing with chicken, planting plants ...). * Through practical activities, children and educators become closer and develop team spirit and social intelligence. * Putting emphasis on a game(s) children can be more spontaneous and they will probably easier accept and handle upbringing and learning (avoidance of formalities eg. respecting strictly established rules of order and discipline).
What is the role of the adult in the setting? To use its acquired knowledge to understand every child as an individual. To tolerate confusion and to explore the behavior of children. To be a watchful observer. To facilitate children's development and upbringing through the game. To encourage social development and the development of social skills. To use knowledge to plan activities according to the needs and potentials of children. To be adaptable to the needs of children. To supportchildren's emotional development and self-confidence. To motivate children. To promote the child's physical, emotional, speech, creative, intellectual and social development.
Description of the setting • Big interiorspace for all activitiesinwhichchildren are involvedin; • Classrooms are opendoorroomsinwhichdifferentactivities are held; • Big outdoor space where children also spend a lot of time; • Entire environment is made for children with differentabilitiesandinterests.
The key principles • Stimulative environment for the optimum development of bodily, motoric and aesthetic functions in children; • Development of the social interaction, communication, creativity and expressing one’s curiosity; • Everyone is challenged and encouraged to thrive and achieve as an individual through a broad and engaging curriculum; • They are striving for excellence and enabling our children to achieve their highest potential in different areas of the curriculum and beyond (singing, playing music, drawing, painting, dancing, …).
What is the setting's view of children? • Children are included in different activities that develop all aspects of education; • There are outdoor classes as well; • Entire environment is made for children with different posibilities and interests in order to enable the optimum development of a child; • Development of independency, positive self-image, social interaction, expression of creativity and intelectual abilities are all fostered via different activities based on the curriculum.
What knowledge and skills do practitioners require when working in this setting? * Independence from authority; * Capability of concentration; * Equitable partnership in cooperation with the expert team, parents and others; * Trust in their professional competencies; * Ability to appreciate the needs and interests of the child; * Knowledge and skills of communication and interaction; * Ability to monitor and promote children's work in a creative and innovative way. * Creativity in the creation and realization the program and activities;
What issue for inclusion and diversity are most relevant for this setting? * When entering school, the feeling of welcome and the visual appearance of the ambient are the visible result of activities and work with children. * The principle of school without doors encourages socializationand breaks fears and prejudices about school as a „scary“ place. * This way of working creates an environment in which all children are equal (same uniform, way of sitting, teacher's approach...).
What is the role of the adult in the setting? To develop tolerance among individuals and groups. To use the available conditions and materials in the best possible way. To create a pleasant ambience and atmosphere. To develop children‘s concentration and focus. To develop love for school, school activities and learning in general. To be there for children, parents and co-workers and to assist them. To motivate and encourage them in their creative work. To promote their knowledge and skills in the best way.
Descriptionofthesetting • Itis a fantasticcommunityresourcethatprovides a rangeofservices to supportfamilieswithyoungchildrenunderthe age of 5; • Itis a place wherelocalfamilieswithyoungchildrencangoandenjoyfacilitiesdesignedspecially for parentsexpecting a babyorthosewith a childunderthe age of 5.
The key principles Child Center is focused on early help with: • Provision – including the education and development of a child; • Facilitating better parenting; • Improving health outcomes; • Helping parents – back to work. How does it work? • Theyworkcloselywithparents to identifytheirneeds, advisingandsupportthem; • Theywork hard to ensurethatthechildrenhavethebestpossible start inlife; • They operete a rangeofgroupsandprogrammesfocused on developingthechild’slanguageandcomunicationskillstogetherwithparentinggroupsanddifferentlearningopportunities.
What is the setting‘s view of children? • Children feel welcome and safe; • The feeling of family environment is created; • Possibility of learning and playing in different ways; • Discovering talents and abilities through individual approach; • Strengthening the relationship between parents and children; • Strengthening the role of the family.
What knowledge and skills do practitioners require when working in this setting? * Creativity and imagination in designing activities for various programs that are offered in the center; * Managerial features that involve working with people, organizing and planning human and material resources; * Emotional and social intelligence; * Know pedagogy, psychology, sociology and other professional knowledge of different ages, as well as andragogical characteristics in working with parents and adults; * Knowing the environment in which the center operates.
What issue for inclusion and diversity are most relevant for this setting? * Various activities for parents and children at the center improve and strengthen family relationships. * Volunteering and activism of people in the community raises awareness of socially useful workbut also about the needs of children and children in general as a vulnerable category. * Center provides help for socializing children. * The Center provides every individual (and children and adults) to create new values in their lives. * Empathy of the center's employees and the way of working with its users makes it recognizable and very useful in the society
What is the role of adult in the setting? To help children in their development. To assist parents in upbringing with children. To bring together children and parents and to strengthens their relationship. To monitor and analyze the behavior and progress of the Center's users. To empower and develop the confidence of children and parents in their role. To promote the work of the center and its successes and results with intent to attract more users. To send a message to society about the importance of the center.
Common features of educators in all settingsPerfect teachers? I am trying to create a pleasant environment for learning I have professional and development. I know all the necessary rules and procedures. knowledge and educator‘s competences and I know very well I have the skills of assessment and planning. curriculum of preschool education. I'm ready for professional development and lifelong learning. I am trying to develop a partnership with the children‘s parents, and I really love my job because I love children and to work with them. I am ready for challenges and changes and I am also flexible and relaxed when I work to gain mutual respect and trust. I know hygienic habits in order to with my students. I am able to transfer prevent and protect the health my knowledge and I am trying to do it on a creative and innovative status of children. I know and I Promote children‘s rights. way. .... so we think this is what great teachers need to have and do! Do you agree? Together they are working to develop self-esteem and self-esteem in every child and to create the same opportunities for every child...
Comments and observation.. • Visit to all settings is definitely a new experience with the content that we have seen for the first time; • Different environment, approach and work methodology enabled us to think of preschool education in a different waythan we used to it; • Each of the settings has certain content that could be organized in a different way(s) which would be more flexible for the conditions in which we work; • The approach to the organization of the environment raises the question whether the conditions in which children are staying, from the aspect of hygienic health needs and habits, intentionally imposed to make children to adjust to the natural environment and should they be organized differently? • The visit was well organized, innovative and useful; • Everything that we have seen has a practical value which will for sure find a place in the process of innovating our curriculawith emphasis on practical work and skills development which will help future teachers in their work.
