Objectives of our project: 1) Creating a network for training, discussions and brainstorming sessions with institutions from European countries like Croatia, Finland, Portugal and Turkey. It is important to understand each country's position about climate change, their government policies, local sustainability efforts and their educational materials on climate change action (if any). 2) Creating new, innovative tools on sustainability and climate action related teaching materials for Preschool levels. 3) Designing and building toolkits and policies to accompany curriculum to foster nature based activities and climate education. 4) Drawing up plans with teachers and relevant stakeholders of the schools on how to implement environmentally friendly practices in schools and the communities around them. 5) Getting experience on Erasmus Plus opportunities and building partnerships for future projects. 6) Knowing creative drama and game based activities as a tool for climate education.
During our project preparation stage, we made a research on tools, materials and articles about climate change education in kindergartens. We noticed that there was a lack of materials, training or awareness for Pre-K to Grade 1 and 2 teachers and we would like to rectify that by creating and designing materials to empower teachers and young children about climate change through play and creative drama with an emphasis of being outdoors as well as provide training for teachers and equipping them with toolkits to conduct sessions in schools. Our main goals were; raise awareness of teachers in pre-school institutions about climate change and to establish a connection with nature in children through effective tools for young children such as games and drama, and to develop the ability to adapt and take precautions against climate change. The needs were to establish an international dialogue, enable the emergence of a climate action network and tackle the lack of materials and training to empower Pre-K to Grades 1 and 2 teachers and young children through experiential learning in a positive way.