| Abstract [eng] |
Education is important for every single person. Pre-school education is one of the most important aspects in the education pyramid that serves like a basis for the further process of a child's education. Pre-school education institutions are not always traditional, alternative ones are often created as well. One of these is an outdoor kindergarten, where the entire educational process is executed in outdoor spaces. Despite the fact that outdoor pre-school educational institutions have existed in the world for several decades, their implementation of the curriculum is not widely researched. The project of this master's degree is to identify the peculiarities of the outdoor kindergarten curriculum that are being executed in Lithuania. The problem is detailed in the following research question: how is the outdoor kindergarten curriculum implemented in the Lithuanian educational institution? The tasks solved in the project are to identify the concept of the outdoor kindergarten and the features of the outdoor curriculum; to base the research methodology on the features of curriculum realization in outdoor kindergarten; to determine the features of the curriculum implemented in the X outdoor kindergarten. The following data collection methods were used in this master's final project: the analysis of scientific literature was used in order to substantiate the concept, philosophy, activities and curriculum implementation of the outdoor kindergarten, the case analysis was used in order to conduct a deeper study from various perspectives, the document analysis was carried out in order to reveal the legal basis related to the activities of outdoor kindergartens , a partially structured interview was used to interview the head of the X institution and pedagogues working in the field group in order to determine how the curriculum features are implemented and legal requirements are based in practice, during the implementation of the educational process. Research data processing method – descriptive qualitative content analysis, during which official documents are collected according to a specific feature – they are based on the activities of institution X. The method of description was used to analyze them. Data obtained during a partially structured interview were transcribed, and qualitative document analysis was used to systematize them. The results of the research showed that the field group conducts its activities according to the "Forest Kindergarten" educational program, that can be described as foundation for an annual and flexible educational plan. It has been identified what are the recognizable elements of the curriculum characteristic of an outdoor kindergarten. The goal is set considering the trends of science and development, to meet the needs of children and the acquisition of achievements, the realization of education is carried out through experiential training, the assessment is carried out taking into account the areas of the child's achievements and the expectations raised. The novelty and significance of the project: this master's final project is based on the peculiarities of alternative preschool education institutions and curricula; distinguish the features of the implementation of the outdoor kindergarten curriculum; after the case analysis, empirical facts were collected about the applicable legal framework and its requirements, implementation in the outdoor kindergarten. The theoretical and empirical insights of the project can be used by educators who establish outdoor pre-school education institutions or groups; as well as researchers conducting research on alternative pre-school education. |
