METHODS FOR DEVELOPING NATURAL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETENCE IN OLDER PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

Анотація

This article analyzes the issue of developing natural science and environmental competence in older preschool-aged children within the framework of sustainable development education. Nature conservation is identified as one of the priority areas in the development of sustainable development skills. An analysis is conducted of studies by Ukrainian and foreign researchers on the characteristics of developing natural and environmental competence in preschool-aged children within the framework of sustainable development education. The issue of developing sustainable development skills has been studied by researchers such as J. Davis, I.Pramling Samuelsson, J. Siraj-Bletchford, I. Engdahl, A. Anishchuk, L. Bobro, N.Gavrysh, N. Myskova, O. Malanchuk, O. Maksimova, O. Pometun, and others. Effective means, methods, techniques, and forms of work have been identified for fostering natural and environmental competence in older preschool-aged children within the context of education for sustainable development (games, project-based activities, environmental training sessions, simple experiments, outdoor activities, and reading and discussing children’s literature and environmental fairy tales). The article presents a study on the effectiveness of teaching methods and approaches for preschool-aged children, identifies modern methods, approaches, and techniques for developing natural and environmental competence in older preschool-aged children, and justifies the need to organize a natural and environmental learning environment for acquiring skills in sustainable development education.

Among the effective methods for working with children are: thought-provoking questions, explanations, play-based activities, adult guidance, and support. The main forms of work with children include: experiments, environmental projects, games, field trips, purposeful walks, environmental training sessions, eco-campaigns, festivals and exhibitions, and organizing outdoor activities. The distinctive features of environmental education for older preschoolers include: the development of children’s cognitive activity, the development of their sensory faculties and perceptual abilities, and the acquisition of sufficient experience and knowledge for further practice in hands-on activities.

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