Project work in the crèche with small children

When working on a project, a for children relevant topic worked on over a longer period of time. The children deal with a topic in a small group and work it out for themselves. Many competencies, such as independence, creativity, Social behavior and cognitive skills are promoted. This also works for children under the age of three if you, as an educational specialist, know and take into account the level of development of your children.

Project work with children - overview

Project work is mandatory in kindergartens in all federal states. In doing so, children learn concentration and perseverance. Other skills that are promoted through project work are logical thinking and methodological skills: The children learn how to learn.

• A project deals with different facets of a topic over a longer period of time, i.e. it consists of different project units. How many there are depends on the topic, the age of the children and their motivation. Usually three to ten units.
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• An important principle is participation, that is, the participation of the children. A project is not planned and carried out by the educators, but continues to develop through the impulses of the children. At the end of each unit, the children reflect on what they have learned and what aspect of the topic they would like to investigate next.
• In the kindergarten, finding a topic should be done by the children themselves, if possible. That can be done through a democratic vote. The educator selects two to three topics that are currently important to the children, e.g. B. Fire brigade, professions, dinosaurs etc. The topics should always relate to everyday life.


Educators in the crèche - qualifications, tasks and requirements

If you want to work as an educator in a day nursery, completely different come ...

• There is a project highlight in every project. Usually this is an excursion or an exhibition of the project results. The project highlight can therefore be at the beginning or at the end of the project.

Starting a project in the daycare center - finding a topic

The crib is not a kindergartenbecause your target audience is much younger. The approach to a project cannot therefore be adopted one-to-one.

• Before you can start a project with your crèche children, you should carefully observe your group. What is the children's level of development? What can you do already? How far has language development progressed? What are the children's interests?
• In addition, the familiarization phase should be completed so that the children can get involved in the project.
• The project topic must reflect the interests of most children. For children under three, these are still very similar. Animals, vehicles, colors or are popular music.
• Make sure that the topics can be broken down into logical sub-topics, for example "Pets" or "Vehicles on the road".
• You can also give the children up to three topics to choose from. Prepare a small presentation on each topic and watch the little ones react. Children from 2 years of age can also vote with platelets or express themselves verbally.

Tips for carrying out a project with U3 children

• If possible, carry out the project together with a colleague. So you don't have to interrupt if, for example, one of the children needs a new diaper.
• The project units should not last longer than 15 minutes. Toddlers have a much shorter concentration span than four- or five-year-olds. In total, the project should not have more than three to four units. These should not be too far apart in time so that the children can still remember the last unit.
• Your project group should not exceed four to five children in size. This way you can keep track of everything and keep an eye on every child.
• Toddlers need repetition. Begin each unit with a specific song or finger play and always choose the same ending.
• The children should be having fun. Therefore, do not go through with your program at any cost, but always keep an eye on the needs of the children.
• Always let the children do their own thing and try things out. Stay flexible. For projects with small children, the motto is: "The journey is the goal".
• Limit yourself to a few materials and methods. A specific painting technique per project unit is sufficient.

This is how an age-appropriate project end can be achieved

• Refrain from ambitious project highlights such as plays or performances. This stresses toddlers too much and leads to frustration on all sides.
• It is better to organize a small exhibition with the project results for the parents in the day care center. Have the children present their work to their parents.
• Small children also like photos. Therefore, put together a photo folder for each child in which the course of the project is documented. So each of the participants has a lasting memory.

It is important not to have ambitious plans when working on projects with young children. Work process-oriented and less result-oriented. Take it easy and always pay attention to the needs of the children.