Active inclusion in the pre-school education system

The project aims at widening access to preschool education for children from vulnerable groups and those living in poverty. Preschool education is an important period in a child life with regard to forming a positive attitude towards school and establishing a motivation to study. However, the reasons for non-inclusion in preschool education are related to social, economic and ethno-cultural factors such as low incomes, unrecognized benefits of preschool education, unemployed older adults who can take care of children, etc. The project envisages a set of measures - providing additional Bulgarian language training for children of different mother tongues as an effective means of social inclusion in the peer group; paying fees for attending a full-time kindergarten as means of overcoming the economic barriers to inclusion and eliminating one of the most significant reasons for non-participation in preschool education; motivation of parents for active co-operation between the family and the kindergarten. A specialized methodology for mastering Bulgarian language for children with different mother tongue shall be developed. The development of such a methodology and the training of teachers for its implementation will ensure the sustainability of the project. Early identification and provision of general and additional support to children, screened to have a need of such, by appointing additional pedagogical staff are other activities aimed at active inclusion. Teachers from kindergartens will be provided with training to implement a screening test to identify early learning disabilities. Project implementation will be accompanied by activities for building the skills of non-pedagogical specialists to work and motivate parents for the benefits of preschool education. Two national campaigns are also planned: for motivating parents and for overcoming negative attitudes and prevention of discrimination.

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