Sunday, November 24, 2019

Short-time joint staff training events and videos ''Say Hello!''

Hello, Latvia!

Our first meeting was in Riga, Latvia on March 4-8, 2019. Project participants were happy to meet and get to know each other.


During our first meeting we set our goals, delegated necessary responsibilities for the project to be successful as well as visited local preschools and got to know educational system Latvia, participated in a Drama workshop and played traditional games.


Hello, Cyprus!

Our second meeting was in Limassol, Cyprus on June 9-14, 2019. Main event was the opening of our Art exhibition. We also learned about the educational system of Cyprus as well as played games with children and their parents.





Teachers participated in an Arts workshop where we learned about interesting ways to use famous artist's strategies and styles in our creative work.




Hello, Turkey!

Our third meeting was in Diyarbakir, Turkey on November 25-29, 2019.  Children greeted all of the partners with excitement! We had a tour around the school and learned about the education system in Turkey and TED's mision, goals and everyday learning.





During the meeting we participated in two Crafts workshops. We learned how to make felt dolls and made our clay art.




We also played gmes iwth children and families as well as participated in Science activity together. It was such an exciting learning experience for all - children, teachers and parents:)




Hello, Estonia!

Our fourth training event had to happen at Vesiroos Lasteaed in Tallinn, Estonia, but due to regulations concerning Covid - 19 spreading, we had a virtual mobility from April 5-9, 2021. Although the format was not what we had planned, we were happy to meet online. We learned about the Estonian National Education System and shared our activities and experiences since our last meeting in Turkey. We were happy to visit Tallinna Veerise lasteaed and Kannikese lasteaed virtually, to participate at job shadowing music activities ''Meand My Home" with 4-5 year old children,  to participate in a crafts workshop and training on parent invovement in preschool life.

For this event partners had prepared video greetings "Say Hello!" to share:
Latvia



Mobile Exhibition ''Me and My Family''

All the partners brought a collection of children's art work to our meeting in Limassol, Cyprus. It was nicely displayed at preschool and viewed by children, teachers and parents. Our exhibition will travel to all participating schools to share.

This is the presentation of a virtual version of our mobile exhibition "Me and my Family" representing artwork of children from Cyprus, Turkey, Latvia and Estonia. Enjoy!

Virtual exhibition



Project Partners

Project coordinator is Private preschool ''Maziņš kā jūra'' from Riga, Latvia. It is a small preschool for children aged 1,5 to 6. It was founded in 2009 by a team of two experienced teachers and a project manager with the aim to implement and share best practice in education.

Preschool ''Maziņš kā jūra'' educational practice is based on believe that each student is constructing its own understanding. Children are actively exploring the world through a wide range of activities, guided and supported by teachers. Individual development of each student, based on its talents, is an important goal of learning. Talents are further explored during extra activities in ceramics, yoga, modern dance, swimming, judo, English and Russian.



Free play is valued and encouraged! Children love to sing, dance, move and play theater. Each year all students and teachers collaborate to stage a play. Learning is connected with nature’s cycle, preschool traditions and children’s real life and interests. Each month children explore an important idea through integrated units of learning where learning using mathematics, language, arts, science, social studies, music, sports, drama helps students to understand the world, to acquire skills and knowledge necessary to express themselves creatively. During fieldtrips and visits to special places, like museums, forests and nature parks, students get hands on experience of nature and authentic art.
Preschool ‘’Maziņš kā jūra’’ has created a warm loving and caring learning environment where all members of the preschool community feel welcome and respected. Parents support their child’s development by actively participating at our special events, portfolio conferences and everyday life.


Our annual Fall Market, Winter Festival, Easter Event, Presentation of a new theater performance, Family Day and Playground Party is an opportunity to share and extend learning.
Implementation of the culture of mindfulness in preschool's daily life helps preschool community balance their lives, maintain health, stay positive and be kind and curious. Through inquiring into the world individually and together, children develop into harmonious personalities.


Our partner from Estonia is Tallinna lasteaed ''Vesiroos''

The Tallinn Kindergarten Vesiroos was founded in Tallinn in 1971 under the name of the Kindergarten no 12. In 1997 the Kindergarten was renamed Tallinna Lasteaed Vesiroos

Our kindergarten is attended by 204 children ages 2-7 years. 11 groups - 18 to 24 children for each group. Usually groups are made up of pupils of the same age. One  leveling group and two adjustment groups.

Besides pre-school educators, there are other specialists working in pre-school. They are: 2 music teachers, special educators and speech therapists, educational technologist, swimming coach.
Our values:

development

innovation

security

cooperation

Tallinna lasteaed Vesiroos
 

Meet our partner from Cyprus is Dimosio Nipiagogeio Trachoniou in Limassol.

Our school is located in Trachoni, a village in Limassol, Cyprus. There are 70 students, aged 4 to 6 years. The school employs 4 kindergarten teachers and 2 assistants. Twice a week we have a special educator and a speech therapist who help children with special needs at our school.

The purpose of the school is to include all students in the educational process. Our activities are based on the creative arts (music, drama, fine arts, sports, crafts). Students acquire knowledge through play in a fun and creative way.

All of these things are achieved in a pleasant environment in collaboration with the parents of all students.

 Dimosio Nipiagogeio Trachoniou Limassol

Meet our partner from Turkey is TED Diyarbakır College Kindergarten.

 

Our Principles

Taking the needs of each learner into consideration to develop their intellectual, emotional,physical, and social skills and capabilities

      Offering opportunities where both national and international programs are available, with strong emphasis on foreign languages;

      Reinforcing our education with various sports, arts and social facilities;

      Building effective communication among its teachers, students, parents, staff;

An educational atmosphere is established where children are able to display their individuality and talent, improve their emotional and physical potential in order to be ready emotionally, mentally and socially for their primary education.

Every Kindergarten class is staffed with two teachers. There are a maximum of 20 students in each class. Every classroom has its own bathroom utilities, including a child size sink and toilet.

Each class is equipped with safe and mobile furniture, educational and developmentally appropriate toys and materials, internet connection and a projector. Our kindergarten, with all the essential physical features of a modern educational environment, focuses on child-centered learning. 

We also have a dining hall where both children and teachers have their lunch.



 

We have a piano class, a swimming pool, playground and infirmary. 

 

 

 

 

In Kindergarten, The Ministry of National Education’s Regulations are being applied to increase our students’ interests and skills and enrich their knowledge along with extra-curricular activities such as:

·         GEMS Workshops (Great Explorations in Math and Science)

·         P4C (Philosophy for Children)

·         Visual Arts

·         Swimming

·         Physical Education

·         Coding

·         English

·         Piano

·         Drama

·         Ballet

·         Chess

·         Story-time.