EXPERIENCE EDUCATION (S) FOR CHILDREN IN GREEN SPACE STATIONS

Abstract

Ecological and environmental education is of special importance in dealing with and solving current global problems. This education is not only important, but also very relevant at all stages of a person's age. Properly laid foundations in pre-school education can help the emerging personality the basics of critical thinking, promote their creativity, the quality of relations with others. An ecological awareness training "Green Lesson" took place in Vilnius kindergarten "Rūta", during which the students of the institution together with the seniors of LPS "Bočiai" and representatives of the Vilnius City Association "Žirmūnų bendruomenė" traveled through 5 educational stops. In summary, it can be stated that all five stations offer activities for the contact of small children with nature, research and cognition. The goal of ecological awareness education “Green Lesson” is to accumulate experience in science education through research activities together with social partners by developing ecological awareness. During the “Green Lesson” education, the students of the institution not only gained knowledge on how to sort and use responsibly, shared their family's experience on how to use used materials that performed their functions, but also searched and discovered colors, shapes, smells and shared feelings with seniors, their peers. A mobile exhibition of creative works on canvas held in green outdoor spaces gave children the feel of real artists. Relaxing painting with the help of a pendulum encouraged children to fantasize, to raise problematic questions. Observing the movement of the pendulum and the flowing colors, the little ones became acquainted with the laws of physics, felt a sense of wonder and the joy of cognition. The Green Lesson with seniors not only provided many positive emotions, but also nurtured the realization that we are all members of the global community and that together we can create a healthy environment for all that is alive. After all, the stronger the connection between the community of the institution and the people in the immediate environment, the more information, skills and values are passed on to the child. While traveling through five green spaces, the children were presented with research activities related to artistic expression, creativity, highlighting the aesthetic qualities of nature, and protecting the environment. The joint experiential activity became a symbol of friendship and kindness, which combined experience, knowledge and childlike sincerity. After all, all this has a great impact on the formation of personality, the peculiarities of socialization, the preservation and formation of a mentally and physically healthy generation. Keywords: environmental education, ecological awareness, healthy environment, pre-school education