We wanted to equip kindergarten teachers with the right knowledge, skills and tools to improve the physical education offer at ECEC level, as well as to mitigate the risk of postural defects among children, by: - developing an innovative methodology (POSE Methodology for Teachers) and equip at least 1200 kindergarten teachers with methodological knowledge and competences on the topic of postural defects among children and how these could be prevented through adequate physical education. - launching a bespoke multilingual open education resource (POSE OER Platform) to serve as online digital repository. - creating an unprecedented training program (in two formats – face-to-face and distance learning online course) to equip at least 300 kindergarten teachers with practical knowledge and skills on how to effectively integrate specific physical activities mitigating postural defects among children within their everyday teaching practice - raising 1500 kindergarten teachers’ and key stakeholders' awareness on their key role in boosting healthy lifestyles and appropriate health patterns among children, and enhance their competences to deliver high quality, resilient and socially responsible ECEC.
We wanted to form a transnational cooperation partnership of key stakeholders at ECEC level, i.e. academics (research and teacher training), kindergartens (where our target group and end beneficiaries are) and providers of education materials and resources for the sector (publishing houses), in order to equip kindergarten teachers with the right knowledge, skills and tools to improve the physical education offer at ECEC level, as well as to mitigate the risk of postural defects among children. Specifically, we wanted to address the needs of: - children (end beneficiaries) – due to the high percentage of postural defects among children; - kindergarten teachers (direct target group) – lack of high-quality, innovative, digitally available, open access, free and relevant materials and tools to support teaching practices in the field of PE at kindergarten level with focus on postural defects prevention (also leading to lack of relevant knowledge, skills and competences); - partnership – need for transnational collaboration leading to expanding our own knowledge, expertise, markets and reputation (especially for newcomers to EU funding), as well as specific needs based on unique profile and background of each partner.