Kids in Nature Erasmus Project

Project Title

Kids in Nature

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Health and wellbeing; Cooperation between educational institutions and business; Early childhood education and care

Project Summary

In today’s society, children are becoming more disconnected from the Nature. With the help of television, computers, video games and smartphones, children have developed a lack of interest in spending quality time outdoors. Since they do not have direct experiences in nature, these children will miss out crucial opportunities to enhance their overall wellbeing, health and relationships.
However, several studies in Europe have shown that children playing in nature develop more capacities for creativity, intellectual development and problem solving. The same studies have also found out that kids who engage in playtime outdoors also play more cooperatively with other children. Another research in the U.S. shows that empathy with and loves of nature grows out of children’s regular contact with the natural world. Also, positive early childhood experiences with nature have a major impact on the healthy growth of a child’s mind, body and spirit. Hands-on, informal, self-initiated discovery in local, familiar environments are often described as the best ways to inspire children and cultivate a sense of place and a ‘sense of wonder’. Some European countries such as Norway, Finland, UK and Germany have been integrating aspects of Nature Education into their regular preschool environment for years. Although the idea of ‘Using Nature as learning environment’ in ECEC is still uncommon in many European countries including Turkey and Romania, there is strong tendency in offering today’s preschool children opportunities to experience nature-based play. In order to strengthen and promote this tendency, we, 6 partner countries (Lithuania, Turkey, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia) have come together to create this project: Kids in Nature (KIN). We aim to equip teachers with knowledge and skills to help guide children make connection with nature letting them spend more time outdoors. About 900 children aged between 3-7 and 200 teachers and educators will participate in this precious project.
Our objectives will be:
-To induce teachers to gain knowledge and skills to conduct Nature activities
-To raise children’s ecological awareness-To let children connect with nature and spend more time outdoors
-To let children play, discover, fun and be healthier in Nature
-To guide teachers for professional development in alternative approaches related to Nature
-To improve children’s skills in free play, discovery learning and exploration.

Our project will have 6 joint staff training with 6 different themes in which the participants will be provided with competence in order to conduct project activities more effectively.
We will be using various evaluation procedures such as pre-post tests, monitoring sheet, evaluation form, etc. to ensure that the project objectives are achieved. During 2 project year, partners will work collaboratively to produce: Project Leaflet, eTwinning project, social media groups, Nature Kids’ Activity File, Teachers’ Guide, Flora&Fauna Booklet, Sustainable Nature Education Policy, etc.

Our project will contribute to the development of the involved schools in the long-term considering the following impacts:
-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,
-Teachers 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,
-Teachers 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 which 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.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 95710 Eur

Project Coordinator

Alytus kindergarten Volungele & Country: LT

Project Partners

• 178 Kindergarten “Srebarno kopitce”
• Vrtec Sentvid
• MENEKSE AHMET YALCINKAYA ANAOKULU
• Daugavpils 13.pirmsskolas izglitibas iestade
• Gradinita cu Program Prelungit nr.1 Buzau