1. The project „A Way to Success The project „A Way to Success“ The town of Šumperk Comenius Regio Partnership The town of Prievidza 2009 - 2011

2. Introduction of the project The project „A Way to Success“ has been developed in cooperation with the partner town of Prievidza in Slovakia The project „A Way to Success“ has been developed in cooperation with the partner town of Prievidza in Slovakia Project aims: Project aims:  support and development of education of pedagogical staff in nursery schools,  support and development of education of pedagogical staff in nursery schools,  to extend and improve the identification and diagnostics of remarkably talented children  to extend and improve the identification and diagnostics of remarkably talented children  methodological support to families and pedagogical staff.  methodological support to families and pedagogical staff. Outcomes: Outcomes:  formation of a class for remarkably talented pre-primary school children  formation of a class for remarkably talented pre-primary school children

3. Project partners The project partners in both regions are: The project partners in both regions are: local school authority local school authority pre-primary school pre-primary school pedagogical - psychological pedagogical - psychological councelling centre councelling centre

4. 3 important aspects of success enthusiasm of the participants enthusiasm of the participants importance of young age for children´s development importance of young age for children´s development cooperation with thematically oriented activities cooperation with thematically oriented activities

5. The importance of young age of the children based on worldwide research it is reported that: children´s brain children´s brain generates 75% of all neuron synapses by the age of 7 50% out of this is generated by 50% out of this is generated by the age of 5 This argument is convincing enough to draw the attention towards pre- primary school children, learning effectiveness and utilitization of memory.

6. Characteristics and behaviour of talented children early reading skills early reading skills rich vocabulary rich vocabulary expressive language skills expressive language skills excellent memory excellent memory strong curiosity strong curiosity great knowledge great knowledge ability to solve problems ability to solve problems (self)criticism (self)criticism nonconformity nonconformity strengthened sense of moral rules and fair play strengthened sense of moral rules and fair play preference for older friends to children of the same age preference for older friends to children of the same age

7. A piece of theory at first 2 seminars in Šumperk

8. Seminar and interactive workshop in Prievidza

9. How long do we follow the way to success? This is our second year of the project and here is our experience experience:

10. importance of project promotion importance of project promotion not to overwhelm the staff with theory, but to provide them with methods and tips for working with talented children not to overwhelm the staff with theory, but to provide them with methods and tips for working with talented children good practice example and also the experience of parents is the best promotion good practice example and also the experience of parents is the best promotion involvement of parents in the „daily life“ of the nursery (school) involvement of parents in the „daily life“ of the nursery (school) cooperation with the National Agency cooperation with the National Agency

11. First detected children within the project both teachers and parents got interested thanks to kick off seminars both teachers and parents got interested thanks to kick off seminars the test SON-R detected the test SON-R detected extraordinary intelligence, extraordinary intelligence, which was hidden in problems which was hidden in problems of social integration of social integration

12. Recommendation for parents of talented children enough free time for their interests, games and daydreaming enough free time for their interests, games and daydreaming be ready for conflicts be ready for conflicts be ready for children´s high requirements be ready for children´s high requirements be supportive and encourage them not only to be proud of their talent but also to be tolerant of other children be supportive and encourage them not only to be proud of their talent but also to be tolerant of other children

13. Recommendation for teaching staff be aware of children´s knowledge and let it know be aware of children´s knowledge and let it know be aware of children´s interests be aware of children´s interests be ready to accept faster development be ready to accept faster development encourage children to think for themselves encourage children to think for themselves avoid dominant teaching methods avoid dominant teaching methods trust their ability to learn through nonconventional methods trust their ability to learn through nonconventional methods let them do activities that are stimulating let them do activities that are stimulating for their development

14. Conclusion development of the project and its submission development of the project and its submission = CHALLENGE = CHALLENGE importance of the topic selection importance of the topic selection detailed and realistic budget planning is needed detailed and realistic budget planning is needed active interest and paricipation in other events concerning the topic (conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.). active interest and paricipation in other events concerning the topic (conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.). update of professional procedures on the basis of gained knowledge (screening) update of professional procedures on the basis of gained knowledge (screening) the importance of communication, mutual trust and participation of all partners the importance of communication, mutual trust and participation of all partners

15. Thank you for your attention Thank you for your attention.