Smirnova E.O., Abdulaeva E.A., Sokolova M.V. Open kindergarten in Germany

Smirnova E.O., Abdulaeva E.A., Sokolova M.V. Open kindergarten in Germany // Preschool Education Today. 2010, Issue 3 - p. 86-92.

This work is licensed under a Сreative Commons Atribiution - NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

2010, 3

Maria V. Sokolova
PhD in Psychology, Head of Research Projects AFA 2.0 LLC (Moscow, Russia)

Elena A. Abdulaeva
PhD in Psychology, Educational content developer, Center of Psychological and Educational Expertise of Games and Toys, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (Moscow, Russia)

Elena O. Smirnova
Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Head of Centre "Play and toys" of Moscow City University of Psychology and Education (Moscow, Russia)

Abstract

The idea of open kindergarten in Germany appeared in 1980. After analyzing the educational system scientists and teachers concluded that it significantly limits the space of a child’s life in different areas. The theoretical basis of the new method developed by the German scientist-educator Alex Wieland and professional advisor Gerhard Regel. After a thorough scientific and methodological elaboration, a new organization of life of kindergarten has been widely discussed and received support from teachers, nursery workers and parents. Currently, open kindergartens operate successfully in Germany, particularly in Bavaria, where the authors were able to visit two such kindergartens. This article describes the basic features of educational process in open kindergartens: the organization of working supplies, the regime of the day, teacher training, etc. In conclusion, the comparative analysis of the Russian system of preschool education and the system provided in the frame of open kindergartens in Germany is given.