In my thesis I have designed a three-part interdisciplinary project, which expose art as an idea and nature as a value. In theoretical part are represented both key areas of the study – nature conservation and contemporary art. Both descriptions are including general information and implications for preschool teachers. Theoretical part also includes description of interdisciplinary approach, with explained purpose of this kind of pedagogical approach and methods how to connect art and nature in kindergarten are described.
Qualitative research was used in empirical part. It includes semi-structured interviews about the work of contemporary art authors, who addressed nature conservation issues. This was followed by group discussion and, finally, creative activity by children. I was trying to explore, how children respond to work of contemporary art addressing nature conservation problems, whether they recognize and understand these messages and how selected works encourage children to start their creative activity as a way of raising awareness about nature protection problems.
In my conclusions I explain why that this can be an effective approach to encourage proactive behavior of preschool children in solving nature protection problems. Participating children responded positively to selected works of contemporary art, they have (with my help) understood the authors message, they also got inspiration, ideas and were also motivated to be part of the following creative activity. I have noticed that the key to reaching these is a dialog, through which topic is systematically represented to children and their understanding can be evaluated. Secondly, thoughtful selection of appropriate works of contemporary and awareness of childrens’ perceptions are also cruical.
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