Important facts on Global Learning

Another theoretically input. Last time Anna already wrote about how to avoid stereotypes and how to deal with problems. Today it is my turn: My name is Annette. Anna and I are a team and we work together for the FRIENDS-programme in the EMS secretary in Stuttgart. It is a pleasure to see how more and more children all over the world participate in the programme. Today I will present you the concluding three basic principles on Global Learning which are important and may support you by working with children.

Providing practical active learning methods

It is helpful to choose manageable and short episodes so that the children will not be overtaxed. When we talk about nutrition in Ghana, Indonesia, Korea or Germany, we cannot discuss all aspects at once. Instead, we pick out one aspect, for example "What is healty on my plate?" To provide practical active learning methods help children to understand complex topics better: To draw, to do handcraft and role-plays or going on a journey in thoughts. That is why you will always find ideas on active learning in our workbooks.

Identification figures for the learning journey and the journey of life: Emso and Pipit

In educational work with children it is important to have visual identification figures, to which a genuine relationship can be built up and who accompany the children on their learning journey: The identification figures that lead thourg the programme YOU+ME: FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD are Emso and Pipit. You already know them from former blog articles and you can find and see them everywhere here on the Website. Emso is a curios and happy elephant who loves to travel and to ask questions. Pipit is his best friend. She is a little creative bird. Her name is Indonesian for 'sparrow'. Those two friends invite children to travel with them and to accompany them on the worldwide journey. Together they want to make friends all over the world.

Solutions are available

Solutions on problems should be in the visual range of the children. "They shouldn't be left alone with unsolvable problems. At least a simulated, real-utopian problem solving should be attempted," says Rudolf Schmitt, an educationalist and expert for primary schools and also a development psychologist at the University of Bremen, Germany.
Children do know tensed environments and circumstances but they still need a positive ending of stories and situations.

Aim: Solidarity with children in other countries and cultures

So what is Global Learning intended to achieve? Why does EMS support Global Learning? The aim is to develop solidarity, empathy and sympathy. It is not enough to just show sympathy for other cultures and to show tolerance for different kinds of behaviour. Isolated attitudes often mean distance and predominance. But: If children develop empathy and solidarity with children in other countries and cultures, the achievement concerning peace and justice on earth is going to be huge.

That's it for now. I am happy to receive feedback on my article.

Yours Annette!