THEORETICAL AND METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETENCE FORMATION AS A NECESSARY COMPONENT OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION SPECIALISTS
Authors:   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine, Dzhura Nataliіa , Machynska Nataliіa ,   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine
Published: May 2022

In the conditions of anthropogenic pressure on the environment and aggravation of environmental problems, a need to rethink and review the content of professional training of preschool education specialists arises. Being participants in the educational process, teachers are leading generators of environmental literacy among the youth. Therefore, the issue of environmental competence formation as a necessary component of professional training of preschool education specialists is relevant and requires further coverage. In the curriculum for BA students of 012 «Preschool education» Programme Subject Area at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, academic discipline Fundamentals of Natural Science and Methodology of introducing children to nature is a compulsory course. The discipline aims to develop environmental competence which is an integral component of professional training of preschool education specialists, who are to be competitive in the labour market, work on self-improvement and have a nature-centred worldview. We suggest the following ways of environmental competence development: to develop a system of integrated knowledge about nature based on the scientific worldview, learning, cognitive and environmental activity; to develop skills and abilities to use pedagogically appropriate means, methods and forms of organizing nature-learning activities with preschoolers; to develop creativity and ability to apply it together with scientific, pedagogical and psychological knowledge while familiarizing children with nature; to develop a socially active individual who cares about the environment and carefully uses natural resources. To this end, within the given academic discipline, we use the following innovative training techniques: problem-based learning, research work, interactive learning methods (fishbone diagram, cluster analysis, brainstorming), games, modelling, projects etc. It is advisable to form professional environmental competence through environmentalization of the learning process in higher education institutions. For this purpose, we suggest including the discipline Education for Sustainable Development to the curriculum of 012 «Preschool education» students. Such discipline is to contribute to the systematic generalization of environmental and pedagogical experience and to form the ability to professionally apply theoretical knowledge in the educational process while fostering an attitude of care towards nature and environmental lifestyle among preschoolers. Training of preschool education specialists is practically oriented and thus implemented through teaching practice and apprenticeships. It is practical training that continues to form the environmental competence of future preschool education specialists through the consolidation of certain moral principles and views, as well as the feeling of responsibility for one’s actions. Here, it is important to involve students in the organization of environmental events of different kinds: workshops, excursions etc. We believe that the solution of key education development issues and creating appropriate conditions for providing high-quality educational services should be based on cooperation between higher education institutions and pre-school education institutions. To this end, it is necessary to make regular updates to the curricula, taking into account current problems and providing for introducing natural science component and innovative educational techniques to the process of professional training of preschool education specialists. After all, highquality education is a necessary condition for preserving the environment and ensuring sustainable development of the society.