The world of childhood and preschool education is continually evolving, making it essential for preschool teachers to stay informed about the latest trends. This training course will serve as a springboard for exploring the key principles, characteristics, and advantages of the most effective preschool approaches.

The new edition of the course “The best for preschool teachers​” took place in Palermo from 20/10/2024 to 27/10/2024. The participants came from all across Europe, with Inessa, Marina and Nataļja from Daugavpils Zinātņu vidusskola in Latvia and Michaela and Andreea from Public Kindergarten in Romania.

The course began with some ice breaking activities, then they shared their expectations, contributions and fears. They also discussed the best practices linked to preschool pedagogy and finally, the participants had the chance to present their schools. In this way, they got to achieve a wider understanding of preschool education in the European Union.

Moving on discovering the Italian preschool experience, the participants delved into the Montessori method, a philosophy and pedagogy developed by Maria Montessori in the early 19th century. A presentation of pictures of an authentic Montessori environment and materials was the starting point for discovering the method in a practical and experiential way.
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The teachers and the course trainer headed to two different education centers, Istituto Montessori and Istituto Minutoli, two preschool schools in Palermo. The participants had the opportunity to learn more about pedagogy, materials, projects, and experiences through a hands-on approach. They also enjoyed sharing views and ideas with local teachers, exchanging insights that enriched their understanding and broadened their perspectives.

We also had the chance to learn about Outdoor Education. We visited a natural park near the course, carrying our class outdoors. This was a clear example of how to plan and carry out a class outdoors and this experience was an eye opener on the deep need of nowadays society to bring our kids back to the authentic and real world, and the benefits this might entail for learning to respect the environment.
Last but not least, the participants discovered the principles and theories of non-formal education and we implemented games and activities to have a better understanding of the matter.
The week came to a close, and it was time for the teachers to return home with new memories and insights. Each experience, lesson, and shared moment will undoubtedly enrich their journey in education, leaving lasting impressions and connections.
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Discover more about this course here.
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