The VLL and Pedagogical sequences were tested by 5 kindergarten teachers at two locations – in Göttingen and in Reinhausen (a nearby village). Teachers had the opportunity to review the VLL, and select suitable learning activities to carry out in their kindergartens. Topics that were covered included:
- the importance of sustainability
- waste separation and recycling
- the animal and plant world
- renewable energy.
When asked why taking part of the project was worth it, the teachers mentioned the following:
- The children were actively encouraged to engage with the topic of the environment and sustainability. The interactive activities sparked their interest and motivated them to learn more about it.
- The project enabled the children to learn important concepts of sustainability in an understandable and exciting way – by actively participating and directly applying what they learned.
- The project encouraged the children’s creativity and curiosity.
- Educators were able to integrate new methods and approaches into their lessons.
- The pedagogical sequences were well thought out and easy to apply, which made preparation and implementation much easier.
- The innovative methods and materials made the learning environment even more interesting and engaging for the children.
- Teachers could reflect on their previous teaching methods, to identify which approaches worked well and which were less effective, so that they could rethink and improve their pedagogical approach. Even strategies that didn’t work well were a valuable learning experience.
Some of the most memorable moment for the teachers included:
- The children virtually “planting” and caring for their own little plants, taking great pride in them.
- Their joy and pride when the children understood the concept of waste separation and were able to apply it successfully.
- Being able to (virtually) observe animals in their own habitat, leading to a discussion on the importance of biodiversity.
- Building small wind turbines and watching them spin in the virtual wind, demonstrating how renewable energy is produced.
- The children being able to participate enthusiastically in challenging interactive tasks.