The expectations set for the project were related to increasing professional competence, particularly in substantive knowledge of STEAM methods. The themes of the courses directly aligned with our project's focus on STEAM pedagogy. From the mobilities, we expected enriching learning experiences that would directly benefit our daycare center's operations. Our expectations extended not only to the content of the courses but also to understanding the culture and the host country, as well as getting to know other participants. We hoped for opportunities for exchanging ideas with other course participants, which would allow for broader sharing of perspectives and collaboration. We also hoped for improvement in English language skills considering the diverse language and cultural backgrounds in our work environment. Our goal was to increase the collective understanding and learning of the entire staff. We hoped for opportunities for active exchange of ideas with other course participants, occasions for sharing perspectives, and collaboration. Through the project, we aimed to enrich the pedagogy of our kindergarten, promote the professional development of our staff, and create new learning experiences for children.
Early childhood education marks the beginning of a child's lifelong learning journey, with a growing need for broad-based skills as the world evolves. At the core of our approach is the concept of learning to learn through experiential and phenomenon-based pedagogy, with our work being project-based. We guide children to explore and learn new things through curiosity and experimentation in various everyday situations. Each year, we undertake three common projects in our kindergarten, with learning objectives shaped by the needs of the groups and the interests of the children. Themes of the projects are explored through play, movement, and artistic experiences using STEAM pedagogy. The aim of our project was to enhance the understanding of STEAM pedagogy among the kindergarten staff, from the perspective of providing comprehensive learning experiences. We aimed to inspire the staff and gather ideas for the practical implementation of STEAM activities within child groups. Additionally, we sought to establish international contacts to enable the staff to connect with colleagues who also utilize STEAM methods in early childhood education.