More than 20 centers to support preschoolers' development opened in Mykolaiv 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 development of children does not stop, UNICEF, together with partners, organizes face-to-face classes for preschoolers with educators in the "2 on 2" format - twice a week for two hours. In particular, in the Mykolaiv region, we have already opened 20 centers to support the development of preschoolers," says Nikitina.

According to her, there are three age groups in the centers: senior - for children 6-7 years old, middle - 4-5 years old and nursery - for children 2-3 years old. Each group can accommodate up to 20 children. One of these centers is currently operating in Mykolaiv 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 European 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 developed appropriate training for educators.

"Today, about 7,000 children in Mykolaiv are left without preschool 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 Mykolaiv region, we have opened 20 centers to support the development of preschoolers," said Anatolii Ihnatovych, coordinator of UNICEF educational projects. 

Classes at the center are aimed at the formation of the most important skills necessary for the comprehensive development of the child (16 competencies of preschoolers), in particular, socio-emotional, learning the basics of mathematics, developing memory, attention and creativity, forming communication skills, etc. The training program includes exercises and didactic games, exercises to develop 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 opportunity to attend regular public kindergartens. Parents need to work, and children need to develop. 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 development of preschoolers. 

The Mykolayiv center also involved a practical psychologist 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.

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 development of preschoolers. Thanks to “2 on 2” education, more than 30,000 children will be able to get access to preschool education here. 

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