Description
The teachers of pre-school and pre-primary education institutions in Lithuania are facing challenges of how to educate children with distinct needs, learning capabilities, diverse cultural or religious affiliation and various linguistic backgrounds. The teachers lack knowledge and experience how to perceive, communicate and cooperate with these children. With regard to the current challenges, Public Service Language Centre together with the partners is initiating this project with the aim to modernize pre-school and pre-primary education methods and means in order to contribute to the improvement of children‘s development and academic achievements. During the project the education methods will be modernized and adapted to the needs of multicultural pre-school and pre-primary education in Lithuania and will be presented in the best practice manual (recommendations) for multicultural pre-school and pre-primary education. The most effective means will be used for the publicity of the project and distribution of the best practice manual. The modernized and adapted education methods will help teachers to implement education programmes for multicultural pre-school and pre-primary education. The modernized methods will target the teachers of pre-school and pre-primary education institutions and other educational institutions across Lithuania as well as teacher trainers, and parents. The project partners have been selected from different regions and municipalities in Lithuania in order to cover the current situation across the country. The participation of the Norwegian higher education institution in the Project will enhance the international dimension and provide for successful application of the Norwegian best practice and experience in the Lithuanian pre-school and pre-primary Education.
Summary of project results
The teachers of pre-school and pre-primary education institutions in Lithuania are facing challenges how to educate children with distinct needs, learning capabilities, diverse cultural or religious affiliation, various linguistic backgrounds; the teachers lack knowledge and experience how to perceive, communicate and cooperate with these children. With consideration to the current challenges, Public Service Language Centre together with the partners initiated this project with the aim to modernize pre-school and pre-primary education methods and means in order to contribute to the improvement of children‘s development and academic achievements. During the Project was created and published a methodological tool “'Multicultural kindergartens. A Handbook for Teachers and Parents” in four languages (lithuanian, russian, english and polish). This hanbook is also available online:
https://issuu.com/vikc.lt/docs/multicultural_kindergartens.
Summary of bilateral results
Bergen University College in Norway was chosen based on the experience and competence that the institution and its experts have in the field of education, especially regarding the multicultural background. During the framework development stage the experts from Bergen University College analyzed the current situation, best practice and multicultural education methods in Norway. Moreover, they carried out the survey in pre-school and pre-primary education institutions. During the study visit to Norway, the representatives of Bergen University College introduced their experience and best practice in the education field to Lithuanian experts, organized discussions with the representatives of pre-school and pre-primary education institutions who educate children with multinational background. This international partnerships provided moral support and allowed for more creative brainstorming. The wider pool of knowledge, skills and contacts were several of the reasons of very good quality of The Handbook.