The contemporary education for children in kindergarten and primary school is based on established methodologies for each of the countries of Europe. The strategies set out in these methodologies focus part of its objectives to social and cultural adaptation of the children. Social environment of each child is determined by cultural tradition based on the historical heritage and folklore of its country. Cultural diversity of Europe is the main feature of the future social environment of our children regardless of which country are born in. To ensure full social adaptation of children through education it is necessary to include the spiritual and moral values of a united Europe, in which they live. Our project work will focus in on three main themes: music, art and literature of different countries. The objective of the project is, by investigating folklore, to familiarize students with the traditions of one’s own and of European cultures; to improve mutual understanding between children from different ethnic communities and backgrounds, develop their communication, musical and artistic skills. By realizing the project, we will create in children a sense of belonging to European culture and will help prepare them consciously and responsibly to live in United Europe. The teachers will develop their knowledge of European educational systems, methods of teaching and possibilities for cooperation. As one of most important aims of the project is to encourage and develop our use of technologies and learn from each other's innovations in their educational area. We should appreciate and respect not only the common between us but also our uniqueness if we would like to live together in united Europe.
The contemporary education of children at primary and elementary schools focuses on the social and cultural adaptation of children, which includes the cultural traditions and folklore of their own country as well as the spiritual and moral values of the united Europe in which we live. Project: "For Learners Around the Globe (F.L.A.G.)". Project Objectives: - to familiarize children with the culture of European countries and to present knowledge and realization of the traditions and folklore of their own country; - to improve mutual understanding among children from different ethnicities, to develop their communication, musical and artistic skills; - to improve children's interest in books and promote literacy; - to create and strengthen a sense of belonging to a European culture in the children and to prepare them to live consciously and responsibly in a United Europe; - to improve the knowledge of the importance of a United Europe and European Union education, based on national identity of all the participants; - to improve the level of teachers´ core competencies and skills and to stimulate their creativity; - to promote creativity, competitiveness, language learning and linguistic diversity; - to support the development of innovative ICT-based content and forms of education; - to exchange good practice, encourage the best use of results, and to create innovative, meaningful products; - to contribute to the increased participation in Erasmus+ by people with special needs and disadvantaged groups regardless of their socio- economic background and to contribute to the fight against all forms of discrimination based on sex, disability, These aims were realised through cooperation and collaboration on all Outputs based on traditional folklore and crafts, celebrations and culture and shared understanding of partners' educational systems and methods. During the educational activities of the project, ICT-based learning and eTwinning International portal (TwinSpace) were used. Project outputs were all completed to a very high standard and culminated with the award of a Quality Label for all schools from e-Twinning. Partners: Materska skola Juhoslovanska 4, Slovakia; Carmondean Primary School, United Kingdom; Ecole Maternelle les Jardins, France; Przedszkole Publiczne w Kraczkowej, Poland; Treto Osnovno Uchilishte "Dimitar Blagoev", Bulgaria; 48° Circolo Didattico "Madre Claudia Russo". Italy. The seventh partner (Djecji vrtic Radost, Croatia) withdrew before signing the project contract. Their activities were dealt out to other partners with the agreement of NA. Activities / dissemination and presentation outputs 1st year "We are the same": 1 Webpage of the project - cooperation 2 LOGO of the project - art competition 3 Education System of My Country - presentation 4 My Country, My Kindergarten/School - education, presentation 5 Europe My Home - education, art competition and exhibition 6 My Favourite Fairytale Hero - education, art activities, leporello 7 How we celebrate Christmas - experiencing and presentation of traditions 8 How we celebrate Easter - experiencing and presentation of traditions, travelling postcard 9 eBook - presentation of activities 2nd year "We are different" 10 Traditional Fairytale (My Favourite Fairytale Hero From My Own Country) - education, art activities, presentation 11 Traditional Games - playing games and physical activities, presentation 12 Traditions and Celebrations - education, presentation, art activities, Cultural Callendar 13 Traditional Dances and Songs - education, training, dancing, singing, presentation 14 Traditional Crafts - education, work, presentation of handmade products 15 My European Book - education, learning 16 My Book FLAG - presentation of project activities 17 Web 2.0 Tools for Schools - using of innovative ICT Teachers and children communicated throughout by Gmail, eTwinning TwinSpace, videoconferencing, project website, postcards, pictures, parcels and attended four transnational meetings and participated in one international training event. The project has been completed by the due date with all the activities having been undertaken as described in the project application and they brought experiential education, culture and motivation for pupils, teachers, parents. There has been an increase in pupils' interest in books, educational materials and activities that has improved childerns´ literacy, particularly in multiculture, foreign languages, the importance of education about Europe and the EU based on the national and cultural identity. Activities have improved key competences, creativity and skills of pupils and teachers. The value of of each partner school has increased due to the dissemination and presentation materials, project exhibitions and activities engaged parents and the general public. Our cooperation with cultural and educational institutions and regional information centers has been improved in the long run.