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A project is an extensive study undertaken by an individual child or a group of children that incorporates writing, measurement, drawing, painting, model making, reading, creating stories, dramatic and fine arts according to the abilities of participating children.
In selecting a topic for project, several criteria should be considered:
- Relevance to the child and usefulness in later life.
- Potential for curricular integration and study of real objects.
- Potential for in depth study for a week or more.
- Opportunity for problem solving, collaboration and cooperation among children.
- Opportunities for construction, investigation and dramatic play.
- Opportunities for dramatic play.
- Opportunities for parental involvement
- Availability of local resources.
The topic of the project has to be stated in the form of question rather than as a single word ex: How do gardens grow?
After the topic selection, the teacher has to engage the children in discussion to know their personal experiences and knowledge of topic through talking, writing or drawing. It helps the teacher to determine the children’s backgrounds and their special interests.
Steps involved in this approach include
- Collecting information through observation.
- Interviewing experts about topic.
- Performing experiments.
- Collecting artifacts.
- Preparing oral and written reports and displays.
The use of printed material is considered important but secondary to the information collected in the field. Project approach helps to facilitate learning goals like knowledge, skills and dispositions like kindness, generosity and habit formation.
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Participants