We aim to promote using Nature As Teacher (NAT) in our project. The internationality of NAT Project will allow the exchange of best practices among partner countries. The project activities will guide to enhance the experience, knowledge and competence of Kindergarten teachers to connect children with Nature via Outdoor Learning and provide children with freedom to explore using multiple sense, confidence, physical and emotional resilience via plays and adventure in the Nature. 5 countries and 6 schools will be involved in this project (Norway, Estonia, Turkey, UK and Spain) with approximately 700 children aged between 2-7 and about 120 teachers and educators. The other participants of this project will be parents, educators and leaders, local authorities with different experience, knowledge and beliefs, but common educational ideals. For this project our main OBJECTIVES will be as follows: -To provide teachers with skills to use Nature as Learning Environment via engaging children in Outdoor Nature activities -To connect children with Nature through 4 Elements: Air, Water, Earth, Fire -To raise children’s ecological awareness focusing on Trees, Plants and Edible Wilds -To develop children’s creative, imaginary, inspirational and cognitive skills in Maths and Art in Nature -To provide teachers with competence to use Forest as a Learning and Adventure Place -To foster kids' multiple senses, confidence, physical and emotional resilience via Forest plays -To strengthen kids’ skills of discovery and curiosity for the Circle of Life by exploring the Animals and their Habitats. -To let children play, discover, fun and be healthier -To strengthen kids' speaking, listening and comprehension skills in Storytelling and Drama -To develop together with all partners a long term strategic plan for Nature Education -To enable teachers to work in a mutual exchange with other kindergarten teachers to gain new ideas, insights, theories and methods across Europe -To strengthen teachers’ competences in communication, teamwork, foreign language, problemsolving, ICT by encouraging them to be more open-minded and feeling themselves as part of the EU. In order to achieve these objectives, we will organize 5 Short term staff training which will enable to acquire required knowledge and skills to promote Nature Education via Outdoor Learning in their own institutions. Not only children and teachers but also parents will benefit from this environmental and healthy program via workshops and special events. Additionally, our project will focus on Europe 2020 priorities and targets to ensure universal provision of ECEC via developing teacher training in the partner countries, transferring and implementing innovative practices and promoting cooperation between schools and local authorities and other sectors. The TANGIBLE RESULTS of the Project will be: -Project Brochure, Roll-up (Leaflet-Flyer), Project Web page, Twinspace, Facebook Group, Instagram Group. -2 NEWSLETTERS -Digital File for NATURE CRAFTS & ANIMAL CRAFTS -Digital File for FOREST PLAYS (with lesson plans) -Digital RECIPE BOOK -Digital PICTURE DICTIONARY- FAUNA &FLORA of 5 COUNTRIES, -2021 CALENDAR -A STRATEGIC LONG TERM PLAN for Nature Education at Kindergartens. The INTANGIBLE RESULTS of the Project will be as follows: Training events and job-shadowing will provide teachers with inspirational ideas, motivation, improved practice, relevant skills required for integrating nature based curriculum in their own institutions. They will explore how to use nature as a learning environment and develop their skills in storytelling, drama, art, math on different themes such as Trees, Plants, Animals, Forest, 4 elements of Nature. They will reflect on their experiences with colleagues, parents and international partners. Being outdoors and connecting with nature will help children be healthier, raise awareness on the Circle of Life, reduce stress levels, increase motivation, gain better attitudes about environment, enhance communication skills, develop outdoor skills and get more self-reliance. Nature-based project activities will nurture children's mental, academic and emotional development. They will bring a sense of fun and adventure to kids. School community will be more conscious about the benefits of children’s connection to Nature and Outdoor learning. School and local community will feel themselves as part of the European Community. Teaching staff will be more qualified in ICT, English and communication skills by working online platforms and attending mobility. Partner schools will motivate other schools to join international projects in their local areas.
We fulfilled all our expectations during the project time. Because of our positiv partners, we will continue our collaboration in dfferent ways. We are very happy about our result. Staff: - we raised awareness of recent changes in Nature Education. This raised the quality at our respective schools - We got better at English through the communication with and visits to/from partner schools - We acquire new and innovative skills and approaches by the use of Nature and Outdoor activities - we became more qualified with working out tools for validation and assessment progress - we became more equipped with skills of collaboration, communication, problem solving and time management skills, especially during covid times - got better at formal and non-formal international events Children: -became more independent and self-confident with the enhancement of creativity, inspiration, curiosity, observation, exploration skills, motor skills and social skills -connected with Nature and raised awareness about Environment and Cycle of Life -spent more time outdoor, became healthier, discovered new wonders, learned by doing and had fun Schools: - we got more teachers with nature skills - parents and staff members got increasing awareness of Nature Kindergartens and Outdoor activities - we got more staff and parents being familiar with some aspects of the European dimension and intercultural awareness - we got more successful at effective Nature Education and Outdoor Learning - we motivated other schools to join in international projects Parents: - became actively involved with the project through their children. - deepen their knowledge and understanding of Nature Education and Outdoor Learning in order to support their children - became more open and receptive in their response to different cultures and traditions. Wider Community: - had greater awareness on Nature Education and Outdoor Learning at younger children, the future generation. Long-term plan: We plan to do podcasts also together in the future. We will also keep in touch by using our communication platform WhatsApp for sharing good ideas. We will also keep the Facebook group to stay connected In good practice