COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN IN PRESCHOOL

DESCRIPTION
Dear early childhood education (ECE) teachers, providers of early childhood education, and representatives of educational institutions,

you have just opened an online educational program for ECE teachers, which was developed through the collaboration of university educators and ECE teachers from the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, and Slovenia, participating in the international project DEveloping the COgnitivE Potential of Preschoolers from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (from now on referred to as “DECODE”).

The aim of the online educational program titled Enhancing Teachers’ Competencies to Support Cognitive Development  is to contribute to high-quality early childhood education by introducing a comprehensive approach to supporting the cognitive development of children in ECE, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The primary goal is to enhance the development of key competencies for all children, thereby preventing educational disadvantages and low levels of essential skill development.

The educational program equips ECE teachers with methodological support in utilizing educational strategies for balanced social, emotional and cognitive development of children (not only) from disadvantaged environments. This is achieved by combining theory with practice. The theoretical section, which includes educational texts and presentations, is followed by a set of practical examples. These examples come from the activities of kindergartens involved in the international DECODE project and are supplemented with comments from ECE teachers who implemented the project in their kindergarten.

The educational program is designed primarily for all ECE teachers who wish to develop their professional competencies. It can also be utilized by higher and secondary educational institutions with early childhood education programmes.

The program is open and free of charge.

PROJECT INFORMATION
This educational program was created as part of the project DECODE – DEveloping the COgnitivE Potential of Preschoolers from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (2022-1-CZ01-KA220-SCH-000086145). The project was implemented with financial support from the European Union.

The content of the program is the authors‘ sole responsibility. The content of the program does not represent the views of the European Commission, and the European Commission is not responsible for the use of the information contained in the program.

CONTENT OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The educational program includes an introductory webinar, educational texts, presentations with reflective questions, videos showcasing best practices from kindergartens, and a final test.

AUTHORING TEAM
Main Editor: Dr. Marta Licardo

Authors:

Association for Early Childhood Education, Prague:
PhDr. Hana Splavcová, Ph.D., doc. PhDr. Zora Syslová, Ph.D.

Faculty of Education, University of Maribor:
Dr. Marta Licardo

Primary school and Kindergarten Liběšice:
Mgr. Michaela Gondeková, Bc. Hana Zárubová, Vladimíra Andrtová, DiS., Veronika Fusková, Petra Staňková

Kindergarten Čtyřlístek Kadaň:
Mgr. Bc. Erika Zelenková, Bc. Naděžda Husová, DiS., Mgr. Věra Isáková, Vlasta Maxová, Sabina Plechingerová

Primary School with Kindergarten Bratislava:
Mgr. Yulia Barzhak, Bc. Veronika Ojo, Zuzana Sádovská

Vrtec Ivana Glinška, Maribor:
Tina Starič, Julijana Kološa, Špela Petrovič Štempihar, Špela Dovjak, Marina Ros, Sumedija Agič, Karmen Meško, Andra Georgiev, Maja Geršak Banović

PROJECT COORDINATOR
Publishing House Dr. Josef Raabe s.r.o., Kamila Hofmannová, Mgr. Stanislava Andršová

PROGRAM SCOPE
50 hours

PROGRAM CONTENT

1. Child cognitive development
2. Child personality development
3. Current approaches to child development
4. Assessment of learning outcomes
5. Thinking – examples of best practices
6. Memory – examples of best practices
7. Attention – examples of best practices
8. Language – examples of best practices
9. Perception – examples of best practices
10. Final test

TARGET AUDIENCE

• ECE teachers, aiming to enhance their professional development with a focus on child-centered methods
• Providers of ECE (universities, CPD providers, associations, and organizations)
• Students in ECE programs at the secondary and tertiary levels and employees in ECE institutions

CONDITIONS FOR PROGRAM COMPLETION

1. Attendance at all educational sessions.
2. Successful completion of the final test.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate.