Project-Based Learning In Early Childhood

Project-based learning is an educational approach in which students acquire knowledge and skills by working for an extended time on a project or task. The following article provides information on What Is Project Based Learning, the Key Elements of Project Based Learning and the fundamentals of project-based learning and how you can use it in the learning environment.

What Is Project-Based Learning?

As part of the project-based learning approach, children spend a significant amount of time investigating and addressing a complex question, problem or challenge in order to build knowledge and skills. This learning strategy is centred around a focus topic or problem that kids collaborate to answer, as the name implies.

The Key Elements of Project-Based Learning

A challenging or complex problem or question
A sustained inquiry process
Student voice and choice throughout, from the conception of the inquiry to the finished product
The integration of multiple learning areas
The application of learning to real-life situations
Authenticity
A critical reflection process or feedback loop, which involves students’ critical assessment, reflection and refinement of their project and learning
The production of a developmentally appropriate, polished product for a public audience
Collaboration and teamwork to achieve the shared goal of discovering and acquiring new knowledge

Strategies To Incorporate Project-Based Learning

Keep It Real

One of the fundamental principles of project-based learning is that it should be directly integrated with the learners’ actual surroundings and not refer to a hypothetical situation. So a recycling or ‘growing your own veggies’ project would be a great way to teach scientific concepts such as plant growth, soil, and climate as well as explore sensory learning and numeracy. Also, make sure that the project draws on their children’s personal interests or explores issues close to their hearts. Indeed such projects may also emerge from chance discussions or class questions and then evolve into full-fledged investigations, integrating various learning goals.

Set The Stage

Though the exact steps of project-based learning would vary by subject and age group of the children, essentially it starts with a preparatory stage. During this stage, a teacher introduces the basics of the project including the context, line of enquiry, group members, materials to be used, methods of documentation and if applicable, the time frame. During this stage, the teacher might also put forward a model of the task to give learners an understanding of what they will be working on. Like if your class has taken up a kitchen garden project, you might take them to an organic vegetable farm.

Prepare The Skills

The next broad stage involves the teacher modelling the skills needed for the project and then offering guided practice for the learners. So at this stage, you might teach children the basics of preparing the soil, planting the seeds and watering while using the opportunity to introduce related science concepts like different types of soil and germination.

Performance Time

After task preparation and rehearsal, it is finally time for your learners to get their hands dirty! Continuing with the example, this stage would involve children carrying out the gardening activities, regular monitoring of plant germination, and growth and necessary documentation. While the task is learner-led, make sure you are around if they get stuck or need a helping hand.

Follow Up

The purpose of a follow-up is to reflect on the learning that happened over the course of the project and to extend the learning in other directions – for example, to numeracy activities like weights and measures or literacy activities like process-writing or making maps. The best part about such projects in the early childhood context is that they are open-ended without any explicit measuring of goals achieved. Since there are no right or wrong answers, learners have all the space to explore their skills and creativity, without fear of failure.

The main advantages of the Project learning approach is that it facilitates learning by doing, is grounded in the practical application of concepts and can be used across age groups and subjects.