VÝCHOVA A HODNOTY / ENGLISH PORTAL

"Výchova a hodnoty" (Upbringing and Values) is a project of the Pedagogical Center of the Archbishopric of Prague. It is intended for kindergarten, primary and secondary school teachers and pupils. 

The aim of the project is to offer educators programs for pupils that give them space to think about the values that make the life of the individual and society meaningful and happy.

The programs are prepared by a four-member team of teachers with professional education in theology, pedagogy and other fields.

The programs are implemented by lecturers of the Pedagogical Center, usually for one class, but larger groups, for example from kindergartens, can also take part in them. Some programs are designed for teachers who can use them in their own lessons.

The pedagogical center also organizes courses and seminars for educators, where they can acquire new skills in methodology. These courses are accredited by the Ministry of Education. We also organize events for parents and parishes.

Themes, sources and values

The programs are divided into thematic groups according to specific themes or venues. We offer:

• Advent and Christmas: we build on the well-known traditions associated with celebrating the Christmas holidays and discover in them the values that usually relate to family, personal occupation and coexistence in society.
• Easter: similar basis as for the Christmas programs. Values are about distinguishing between good and evil and the hope in the victory of good.
• Remembrance of the dead: related to the holiday celebrated on November 2. The key values of these programs are the gift of life, human dignity and memories.
• About churches: the programs take place in selected churches in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region or in the church at the school. The programs are based on the decoration of the church and they introduce the pupils to its symbolism and connection to human life. Preferred values are the lifeway of people and its goal, human experience, the importance of community and the common good, the importance of faith in the lives of our ancestors and contemporaries.
• Tours and excursions: these are mainly walks through Prague, visits to less accessible places (especially monasteries) and trips to places of pilgrimage. The destination is often associated with important historical moments, events or personalities. We usually discover the meaning of events or the legacy of selected personalities.
• literary and artistic relics: The source is usually the Bible as the Book of Books, in various editions, including historical and artistic. Pupils discover the content and message of this book and get acquainted with the circumstances of its origin and the meaning of its existence.
• Saints and Patrons of the Czech Land: The starting point is literary sources, especially legends and chronicles, and works of art. Pupils are introduced to "reading" these works and discovering their message. This usually refers to the values that a certain saint has attained and has applied in his or her life. The programs also offer pupils an insight into the so-called social history of our country.
• Historical anniversaries: these programs are based on events that have had a significant impact on the course of the history of mankind or our nation. The sources for these programs are "materialized" memories in the form of period documents, literary, film or artistic works of art. We usually discover values with pupils that we can call a "common good" and that are timeless.
• Prominent personalities: these are people who have left an important legacy in their civic or professional life that goes beyond their time and environment. We work with documents about their lives, testimonies, etc.
• Lifestyle: the sources are situations and environments that pupils commonly encounter. We work with the stories of contemporaries or celebrities who have recorded their lives and experiences. The programs are mainly focused on the reflection of experiences, which we evoke, among other things, through the methodology of experiential pedagogy, and searching for moral values. Critical reading and thinking methods are also well applied in this area.
• Common good: the sources are situations and environments in society towards which we should not be indifferent, since they also concern us. The programs also include the development of abilities to verify information, search for reliable sources, ask questions and search for answers.
• Solidarity and charity: the themes are similar to the previous topic, we focus on situations and environments that require solidarity and expressions of charity i.e. merciful love. We work with the life works of some personalities or communities from different periods of human history. Programs should motivate pupils to participate in charitable activities.

Methods

The used methods are for example:

• Working with text, images, photos, video samples, documents, books, magazine and newspaper articles, atlases, websites, music, paintings, testimonies and many more
• Trips and visits of historical, cultural and natural sites relevant to our history

Samples of our programs