Geo&Bio (Dec 2018)
Interactive lessons for preschool children conducted in the State Museum of Nature of Vasyl Karasin Kharkiv National University
Abstract
The present article deals with the issue of conducting guided tours for preschool chil-dren in a natural history mu-seum, the exposition of which is not adapted to the special needs of the studied age group. Seeking the solution of this problem, teaching methods of children of four to seven years of age in both general knowledge and natural sciences were considered. The historical experience of other museums of the world, including natural history mu-seums, was examined. The experience of working with children of different age in contemporary natural history museums of the world was described. Tools used in one way or another for adapted educational, enlightening, and promotional activities among preschool children were also showed. The methodology and tech-niques of conduct-ing interactive classes including excursions with elements of didactic games were described. Means for adaptation of the museum environment to the needs of different age groups, in particular preschool age children, ranging from natural needs to the availability of children’s per-ceptions of information are proposed. For carrying out the excursion, in addition to expositions, natural objects of animal and mineral origin from the museum’s work fund and auxiliary materials were used, selected on the grounds of visibility and attractiveness for children and the con-venience and safety of studying by young children. According to the age of preschoolers, the size and compo-sition of the group, and the specified time of the classes are proposed. As a model for the diversifi-cation of excursion work, new topics and methods of excursions, designed to work with preschool-ers are proposed for the Museum of Nature at Vasil Karazin Kharkiv National University. Classes are designed specially for children of middle and senior preschool age, and are prepared to conduct in the Museum of Nature at Vasyl Karazin Kharkiv National University. Classes were successfully tested in practice. The results of interactive classes were compared with regular excursions.
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