We all know that it isn’t always easy to find new and engaging ways of teaching, especially when dealing with young children. That’s why discovering and using innovative teaching methods can really make the difference in preschool education, in which play is seen as an important way of learning. Today a lot of different and useful ways of learning (like non-formal education, project-based learning, outdoor education and creative games) are being implemented.
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The last edition of the course “Innovative teaching methods for preschool teachers ​” took place in Palermo from 08/01/2023 to 14/01/2023. We had the chance to welcome 9 wonderful teachers coming from 9 different schools of Belgium belonging to the organization GO!Scholengroep UN!K: Femke, Katja, Hilde, Nele, Kelly, Elke, Sofie, Anne and Daphné. 
Given the interest of our participants, during the course we talked about the Italian preschool system and how it works and its differences with the Belgian system. We also discussed about the different methods that can be used in an Italian preschool. Of course, these moments would have been incomplete without the sharing of experience, opinions and best practices of our participants.

We also discussed about the power of Non-Formal Education. In fact, starting from the activities, we learnt about the Kolb’s experiential learning cycle and how it allows to pass from the activity to conceptualization and application, giving the children an active role in their own learning process. Of course we practiced as many games and activities as possible and the teachers had the opportunity to show their non-formal skills through drawing, dancing and singing.
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Then, we explored Project Based Learning which is an innovative method that, starting from a driving question, let children investigate real world issues.  After looking at the characteristics and the principles of PBL, the participants tried to create a good driving question.

During one day of the training course we also explored Outdoor Education.  In order to do it, we visited Villa Trabia and we implemented a lot of activities there. Some of the advantages of Outdoor Education that emerged during the many games we did are the increase in motivation, the improvement of the psychophysical well-being thanks to the contact with the nature and the enhancement of the 5 senses.

Finally, we discovered the power of creativity with a lot of activities that “forced” the participants to think out of the box!

During the week, the group bonded a lot and created a great team spirit so that it was difficult to say goodbye. However, thanks to our last activity we found a very nice way to recap all the good moments and express our gratitude to the other participants. Now, they are ready for new challenges.
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Many thanks to the teachers for their enthusiasm and contribution! 

Discover more about this course in: https://www.erasmustrainingcourses.com/innovative-teaching-methods.htm