LTIkimokyklinis ugdymas tampa vienu Lietuvos švietimo politikos prioritetų. Pastaruoju metu vis daugiau dėmesio skiriama šiai reikšmingai sričiai. Viena iš tyrimo sričių – ikimokyklinio amžiaus vaikų pažinimo kompetencija. Nepaisant pačių įvairiausių veiksnių, lemiančių šios kompetencijos formavimą(-si), itin svarbus faktorius – gamtinė aplinka. Šiame straipsnyje pristatomas tyrimas, kuriuo atskleidžiama ikimokyklinės ugdymo įstaigos gamtinės aplinkos svarba vaikų pažinimo kompetencijos plėtotei, taip pat dabartinė ikimokyklinių ugdymo įstaigų gamtinės aplinkos situacija, trukdantys šios aplinkos efektyvų formavimą veiksniai bei pasiūlymai ir rekomendacijos, kaip keisti situaciją. Tyrimas grindžiamas kokybine metodologija. Tyrimo metodas – daugiapakopė ekspertų apklausa (Delphi tyrimas). Tyrime dalyvavo 22 ekspertai, reprezentuojantys profesinę ikimokyklinių ugdymo pedagogų grupę. Tyrimas grindžiamas nuostata, kad ikimokyklinės ugdymo įstaigos gamtinė aplinka labai svarbi formuojant vaiko esminius gebėjimus, reikalingus pažinimo kompetencijai pasiekti. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Gamtinė aplinka; Ikimokyklinis ugdymas; Pažinimo kompetencija; Cognitive competence; Cognitive competency; Natural environment; Pre-school education; Preschol education; Preschool education.
EN[...] The object of research - the importance of natural environment for the development of the cognitive competency. The aim of research - to analyze what kind of importance natural environment of a preschool institution has for the development of the cognitive competency. The methodology: J.A. Comenius, J.J. Rousseau, J.H. Pestalozzi suggested naturality/nature as the example or means to cognize and investigate the world. In order to collect the data about the importance of natural environment for the development of the cognitive competency, in the work the reference has been made to J. Bruner's theory of cognitive development. In modern cognitive conception of learning it is stated that only by investigating cognitive processes we may better perceive the behaviour of a person himself/herself. For the evolution of the development of cognition natural environment is important and closest to a child because there sensory abilities may develop. Results of research: educators of preschool educational institutions positively evaluate value of a natural environment for formation of the cognitive competence.On the other hand it is not the main limiting factor. Experts understand essence and value of updating and formation of natural environment in preschool education institutions. Change of a situation is interfered by poor material resources, the low competence of preschool educators (teachers) in the field of natural science education, inadequate programs and standards. 68 percent of experts consider, that it is very important to establish close communications with a following level of education - primary and basic (lower secondary) school. In opinion of 59 percent of experts it is very important constant improvement of professional competence (skills) of teachers of preschool education. Half of experts (50%) recognize that virtual, instead of the natural environment today prevails. It is established, that in opinion of the majority of experts (72,7%) the natural environment of preschool education institutions is artificial and limited. [From the publication]