More than 20 centers to support preschoers’ develment ened in Mykaiv region with UNICEF support

This was reported to an Ukrinform correspondent by Veronika Nikitina, communications specialist of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). 

"Due to the war and lack of shelters, many kindergartens in Ukraine remain closed. To ensure that the develment of children does not st, UNICEF, together with partners, organizes face-to-face classes for preschoers with educators in the "2 on 2" format – twice a week for two hours. In particular, in the Mykaiv region, we have already ened 20 centers to support the develment of preschoers," says Nikitina.

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According to her, there are three age groups in the centers: senior – for children 6-7 years d, middle – 4-5 years d and nursery – for children 2-3 years d. Each group can accommodate up to 20 children. One of these centers is currently erating in Mykaiv on the basis of Lyceum No. 34. It was created within the framework of a joint project of UNICEF and the NGO "Zadzerkallia" with the support of the Eurean Union and the Government of Japan. 

UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Association of Early Childhood Education Workers, adapted the training program to the “2 on 2” model and develed apprriate training for educators.

"Today, about 7,000 children in Mykaiv are left without prescho education, because this year less than 30% of the city's kindergartens have resumed full-time activities. Therefore, UNICEF, together with partners, supports communities in resuming face-to-face education. In the Mykaiv region, we have ened 20 centers to support the develment of preschoers," said Anatii Ihnatovych, coordinator of UNICEF educational projects. 

Classes at the center are aimed at the formation of the most important skills necessary for the comprehensive develment of the child (16 competencies of preschoers), in particular, socio-emotional, learning the basics of mathematics, develing memory, attention and creativity, forming communication skills, etc. The training program includes exercises and didactic games, exercises to devel communication skills, as well as various drawing techniques.

"The main thing is communication and socialization. It is a very good alternative in such a difficult time. Children do not have the portunity to attend regular public kindergartens. Parents need to work, and children need to devel. And here children contact each other, communicate, learn something from each other and from educators," says Anastasia, an assistant at the center for supporting the develment of preschoers. 

The Mykayiv center also invved a practical psychogist in the work, because the children are now locked up and anxious. It also helps prepare children for their stay in the shelter, because during air raids, classes continue in the bomb shelter.

 "At first, the children did not understand why they had to leave everything and go somewhere. But we did not go to the shelter, but "on an excursion, traveled." In the shelter, some kind of surprise awaited the children. Now they know that we will play in the shelter, that it is safe there," Anastasia explains.

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When children are in class, parents can wait for them in the corridor or go about their business. Today, there are 175 centers in Ukraine to support the develment of preschoers. Thanks to “2 on 2” education, more than 30,000 children will be able to get access to prescho education here. 

As reported, in Mykaiv, with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), a large youth space "Khvylia" was ened, and the communities of the region provided more than 1500 lapts to ensure the educational process.