Practices

Job-Shadowing of a Czech pre-school teacher in Sweden
Comenius In-Service Training
Institutions involved:
Thematic Field: ECEC
Mateřská škola Karlovy Vary, Komenského 7 (Czech Republic), Katrineholms kommun,
Sjoholm-Strangsjo BOU (Sweden)
Key words: Staff competences, Content
Description:
This job-shadowing in the Swedish kindergarten was an excellent opportunity for Ms
Hana Komárková to observe the teaching methods used with the pre-schoolers
abroad and thus help her in thinking of how to enhance the quality of teaching in her
home school.
In her report from the In-Service training, she says: "Children have similar
opportunities to acquire knowledge and experience as in my country. Yet, I was very
impressed that the Swedish teachers give their children far more freedom for
autonomous selection of both room for play and equipment - particularly in the
countryside. I was very surprised by the standards of environmental education
and by the children's knowledge, skills and attitude to nature. I was also surprised by
their approach to assuming responsibility for their behaviour and relationships
within the group. Teachers carefully helped children develop and refine their
knowledge. All activities take place in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere that reminded me
of a harmonious family. Children get a more practical experience with the various
ethnic groups due to the increasing rate of migration. They learn to live with these
children in friendship, with respect for their culture, and the same is expected from
them."
In addition to the exchanges of teachers, both kindergartens continue their
cooperation involving children. Existing cooperation with the Swedish kindergarten is
carried out through well-established means – mutual communication per letters, emails
or Facebook. Czech children play the same plays as their Swedish friends and
the Czech kindergarten sent also some ideas and suggestions for future common
plays and competitions. The fruitful cooperation of the above mentioned institutions
shall continue in the future.
Award
National Comenius award in the Czech Republic in 2011.
Duration:
6 days in 2011
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