Pre-school Education Models and Applications

<< Background >>Quality preschool education also requires a quality educational program. With the application of this project, a program was created using child-centered practices in various learning theories and models that provided rich learning experiences to children who are covered by preschool education; support their psycho-motor, social-emotional, language, and cognitive development and increase their self-care skills, by examining and applying preschool education programs based on different approaches and models in different countries.Teachers gained information about different approaches and models to be more effective in understanding and applying the program. Teachers have become competent in preparing quality educational programs in the course of their work and to inform themselves about different approaches and models. In these different approaches, it was important to support the teachers' thinking about the role of the teacher and the child, the materials that could be used, thethe learning environment, the perspective of the approach to the child, evaluation of the child, and preparation of monthlyand daily plans. The pedagogies we used were Montessori Approach, Reggio Emilia Approach Waldorf Approach.<< Objectives >>Thanks to the activities and practices carried out during the project, schools will form strong bonds and thus, it will be easier to follow different curricula. In addition, it will be possible to get a different idea from each school and it will accelerate the development of the creatures of the schools. During the project, our participants will improve their language and social skills. The participants will have experience in preschool education models and practices and will witness the application models in different countries.Our Project Goals are;Gain knowledge about different approaches.Achieve the ability to reflect different educational approaches to daily education flows.Achieve competence to organize educational environments according to different educational approaches.Observing and experiencing preschool education practices in different countries.Follow the innovations in the preschool field.Children value adults and tell them everything, In these cases, the teacher is expected to stop and listen and give value tothe child. In our project, we aim to train teachers to have strong communication with children and to become effectivelisteners. Teachers need to be good observers in order to understand.<< Implementation >>MACEDONIA - The theoretical foundations of the Waldorf educational model were realized. The Waldorf model was applied in practice. A field trip was made to a kindergarten using the Waldorf educational model. In the Waldorf classroom, teachers strive to create a nurturing environment that fosters creativity, imagination, and a love of learning.ROMANIA - The theoretical foundations of the Reggio Emilia approach were explained and practical training was given.In the Reggio Emilia classroom, teachers acted as collaborators and facilitators rather than traditional lecturers. Children are encouraged to explore and discover on their own, with teachers providing support and guidance as needed. The curriculum was created and guided by the children's interests and needs, rather than by a set of predetermined goals.TURKEY - The theoretical foundations and history of the Montessori educational model are explained. Montessori materials and areas of use were explained in the company of the students.In the Montessori classroom, children are encouraged to be independent and take responsibility for their own learning. The teachers worked to create an environment that was both nurturing and challenging.<< Results >>As a result of our project, the participants had the opportunity to see and experience the educational models and practices implemented in different countries on-site. The participants had the opportunity to meet their colleagues in different countries and share their experiences. The social and communication skills of the participants were improved.We became teachers who follow the incoming innovations and can apply these innovations in their classrooms; have knowledge about different approaches in preschool education, are able to prepare daily educational flow and plans in line with different approaches, organize educational environments according to different educational approaches, are good observers and use observation guides, prefer contemporary approaches over traditional methods in student communication.Long-term benefits: The basic philosophy of all educational approaches and models lies in children's individual interests and needs, supporting their sense of curiosity in their nature, and maximizing their potential removal. Therefore, children should continue to be active in the educational environment and have the freedom to make the decisions required. The teachers should continue to encourage children by adopting.