SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRESCHOOL ONLINE LEARNING COMMUNITY

In the coming period, employees of preschool institutions, on the website of the Inclusive Early Childhood Education and Care project, will have access to video training that should accompany the appropriate activities of internal professional development within preschool institutions. The trainings are designed as a form of support for the development of competencies for employees in the PU.

The series of seven video trainings was created by experts in preschool education within the project „Support to the development of preschool online learning community”, which is implemented by CIP-Center for Interactive Pedagogy with the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia.

The topics of video training were chosen in accordance with the assessed needs of professional development of employees:

• Socio-emotional learning of preschool children
• Support for social and emotional learning within the educational work with preschool children
• Digital tools in the function of professional development
• Supporting the well-being and resilience of preschool children
• Educating preschool children by providing support and establishing rules
• Support for families with preschool children from vulnerable groups
• Creating stimulating opportunities for the development and learning of children up to the age of three

The contents of the video trainings are designed to encourage employees to think about educational practice at the personal level, kindergarten level and preschool level, as well as to encourage further research and learning through various professional resources.

Video trainings include short theoretical lectures, video and audio presentations of good practices, thinking tasks, suggestions of appropriate professional literature, and ideas for professional development at the institution level.

Employees will have the opportunity to review video training, read literature and finally solve tasks. After two hours of professional training, the online evaluation will be completed, and at the end of the process, a certificate of successful attendance of the training will be available.

One of the biggest benefits of these video trainings is the possibility of horizontal exchange at the level of the institution in relation to the recommended topics: exchanges on completed tasks from video training, discussions, review of offered professional literature, review of good practices, review of scenarios for activities and workshops with children and parents inspired by the contents of video training, etc.

Developing a community of practice is a collaborative, proactive and joint act, in which meanings are constructed and different levels and ways of participating in change are supported. This approach contributes to the well-being of all participants in kindergarten practice.