Respective project tries to bridge this gap by developing and implementing a highly innovative and inclusive pedagogical concept blending music, visual art, and cell biology. Research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience implies that engaging in activities that combine multiple sensory skills such as singing, playing, clapping, and dancing makes a significant difference in cognitive development and educational success. On the other hand, the education systems do not offer the possibility of educating educators how to think outside the box and, in a specific project example, use music as an educational tool. An additional problem is the basic IT knowledge of educators. Program developed throughout the project is focused on five and six-year-old children and their teachers who can acquire certified professional education on using music as an educational tool to teach children biological concepts. Such interdisciplinary educational approach would not be possible without the support of parents and preschool headmasters who will recognize the value and the need for such a program.
By encouraging different skills in early childhood, through the family and then the educational environment, a series of skills are developed that remain instilled in children throughout their lives. One example is a way of thinking that involves breaking out of conventional norms and frameworks. Such way of thinking brought the idea of a joint project developed between Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (furthermore UNIPU), fabula movens doo and Petar Pan kindergarten. Creativity, openness, collaboration, resilience, cognitive elasticity as well as social and emotional competencies are becoming an essential toolkit for any child. In addition, STEM education Is becoming vital in helping children better understand the world. Pre-school teachers are the main facilitators of inciting and nurturing diverse sets of skills for pre-school children. Combining biology, music, artists, pre-school teachers, technology driven learning methods brought an idea of Cell Biology and Art Class Omnibus (CACAO) project. Five different countries involved experts in different fields with joint initiative to co-create unique pre-school learning program blending cell biology, music, dance, and visual art.