The war in Ukraine is hitting children hard. The regular wailing of sirens and having to move to shelters or bunkers, at day and night – all this is now part of everyday life for Ukrainians, both young and old. Precisely for this reason it is so important to keep schools and kindergartens open, as being together with others and playing with peers can bring relief and joy. Conversely, interrupting education would pose an additional risk to child development. The negative effects that such closures can have were clearly demonstrated worldwide during the coronavirus pandemic, even if the crises are not completely analogous: there is a loss of progress in learning or, worse still, skills are not acquired in the first place.
Children certainly need support and a different care during such times. Kindergarten teachers have to adapt to this, too. To show them useful tips and tricks, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) offers training courses under the title “Psychological support in the educational process during times of crisis in Ukraine”. In October and November 2023 alone, more than 4,300 psychologists and educators attended such courses.
Among them were three women from a child care facility in Schytomyr, a major city in Central Ukraine. They attended a three-day course and learned, for example, how to use the power of imagination and distraction to calm and soothe children. This may involve soft music or a game where everyone dreams of being butterflies “floating” through the room. Crafting and playing with modelling clay at the right time also brings relaxation.
These courses are part of the UNICEF programme in Ukraine, which KfW Development Bank is supporting with a total of EUR 130 million on behalf of the German Federal Government. The programme ensures that the reconstruction takes into account the needs of children and young people and consists of various components; one is geared towards keeping schools and kindergartens open and offering the appropriate educational content and strategies. Buildings are refurbished and equipped to create a safe environment for learning and development. It also includes training for caregivers and psychological support for traumatised children and young people, especially those from displaced families.
In Schytomyr, the teachers apply what they have learned from the UNICEF courses and have tried to create a refuge for the children, where they can feel safe and secure despite all the dangers. That also holds true for the shelter attached to the kindergarten – it is painted in bright colours and full of toys. In the event of an air-raid siren, the children have less space there, but they can continue to play. And if they still get scared, the teachers draw on the pedagogical strategies they have learned. “The new techniques help children communicate with each other and reduce stress,” one teacher explained.
Almost 1.4 million war-affected children and their families will receive social services through this UNICEF programme. It especially includes services relating to early years education and child protection, as well as counselling and support for parents and legal guardians.
