Abstract:

The method of projects is one of the teaching methods included in the group of problem methods. That method is based on the realization of tasks prepared by the teacher for children to be done by themselves on the basis of previously set rules. The tasks might be done individually or in groups. Working on each task may take quite a long time: from one to a couple of weeks or even months. Children may do two types of projects:
• the research method, is to develop the knowledge and abilities,
• local functioning, connected with actions in the local surroundings.
In the method of projects there should be two factors taken into consideration: the preparation of the didactic material and working with children. The instruction directed to the child is really important and should be clear for each pupil. The instruction is prepared by the teacher. The instruction should include the topic of the project, its aims, tasks for a particular child or a group of children, clues, source of information, deadline, the way and time of the presentation, the dates of consultations, the method of assessment. The method of assessment should concern both the presentation itself and each stage of work. Particular decisions applying to topics, forms of work and the way of presenting it might be done with pupils’ cooperation. Both the teacher and the pupils may decide how to divide the children into groups and what topic to choose. The work presentation is in public. The method of projects puts its pressure on the individual work and lets the children use various sources of information. In the individual work children learn to be responsible, how to make decisions or assess themselves. In the group work they develop the ability of how to make decisions in groups, how to solve some conflicts, make their own opinions, listen to other people, search for compromise, discuss, assess their other pupils’ work. In the local works children gain the ability of how to set the harmonograms, how to plan and count the budget, search for the ally to support their work, how to predict and overcome difficulties. The method that lets the child teach another child is the most effective in the knowledge absorbing. Thus, thanks to the method of projects you can achieve more from a single child or from a group of children than while working using traditional methods.

Keywords:

method, project, pre-school, education.