Colorful emotions

LL-00009

Capacity building and development of necessary competences for working with special needs children in Latvian and Lithuanians kindergartens

Common territorial challenge (s) that will be tackled by the project

The main objective of the project was to help kindergartens in Dagda, Visaginas, Krāslava and Panevėžys in Latvia and Lithuania to implement the inclusive education approach more quickly and successfully in practice by strengthening the capacity and cooperation of the institutions, as well as by developing the competences necessary for teachers to work with children with special educational needs. Within the project, several innovative approaches to capacity building were implemented. The project helped to address one of the most significant challenges – the lack of qualified, experienced and well-trained personnel to work with children with special educational needs.

Project objective

The project aimed to build capacity and cooperation for developing the necessary competences to work with children with special needs in Latvian and Lithuanian kindergartens.

Planned activities

Within the project, several interlinked activities were implemented to strengthen the capacity of pre-school educational institutions to work with children with special educational needs and to support the practical implementation of inclusive education. Psychological training was organised for teachers and specialists on children’s emotional development, understanding of behaviour and emotions, emotional intelligence, teamwork, burnout prevention and teachers’ emotional well-being. At the same time, psychological support was provided in each partner institution for children, parents and teachers, helping to create a safer and more supportive environment in kindergartens. A major part of the project was the acquisition of specialised methods for working with children with different needs. The partners learned and introduced the Barboleta Method, the Warm Grains Method, the Džimba Safety Steps Programme, Fairy Tale Therapy, Art Therapy, Interactive Sand Therapy, the Montessori Method and the PECS communication system. Sixteen teachers participated in in-depth training and became internal specialists in their institutions, while the acquired knowledge was later transferred to other teachers and teaching assistants through practical on-site training. The methods learned were integrated into the daily work of the kindergartens, and the necessary equipment and materials were purchased for their practical use. The partners also took part in educational visits to inclusive education institutions in Latvia and Lithuania, organised method presentation meetings, practical cross-border training sessions and online mentoring activities. Project results were disseminated through publications, video materials and other communication activities, ensuring that the experience gained was shared with the wider educational community

Project results

The project strengthened the capacity of partner pre-school educational institutions to support children with special educational needs and children requiring emotional, communication or behavioural support. Its main aim was to introduce practical methods that help create a safer, more inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Within the project, 16 teachers were trained in 8 methods: the Barboleta Method, the Warm Grains Method, the Džimba Safety Steps Programme, Fairy Tale Therapy, Art Therapy, Interactive Sand Therapy, the Montessori Method and PECS. The methods were shared with 95 teachers and teaching assistants and tested in daily work with children.

As a result, children receive more targeted support, teachers have gained practical tools and confidence, and parents are better informed and more involved. The introduced methods, equipment and materials continue to be used after the end of the project.

Short videos about the methods:

Warm Grains Method (LV):