Dr. Stefan Tonchev, Assist. Prof
Trakia University - Stara Zagora
https://doi.org/10.53656/ped2023-3.08
Abstract. The article is based on the results of many years of practical experience and presents a working model of interaction in the process of religious education in the third age group in kindergarten and the methodology “philosophy with children” in a pedagogical context. This approach is corresponding with the principles of non-formal learning and the competence approach in education. Examples of activities are presented in which the transition from knowledge acquisition to the development of children's functional literacy is revealed. The use of “philosophy for children” in religious education classes in kindergarten is argued as supporting the process of awareness and acquisition of values and virtues, which are crucial for children's acquisition of cultural, social and emotional competence and for their successful personal and professional expression in democratic society. It is also argued that religious education in preschool is meaningfully and substantively coherent with the current strategic and normative documents on education in Bulgaria.
Keywords: philosophy for children; values education; religious education in preschool; non-formal learning; competence approach in education
