HAMK supports the development of early childhood education in Ukraine
HAMK is working with two Ukrainian universities to develop early childhood education in Ukraine. The aim is to produce two study units that will, among other things, strengthen the ability of early childhood teachers to identify children’s symptoms of trauma and stress and provide psychosocial support through play and self-expression.
Häme University of Applied Sciences has launched a new cooperation project with the Ukrainian universities of Kharkiv V. N. Karazin (KKNU) and Hryhorii Skovorada University in Pereiaslav (HSUP). The aim is to develop early childhood education in Ukraine by designing two study units on trauma-informed early childhood education. Trauma-informed early childhood education is not about treating trauma but about creating a safe environment and compassionate interaction and supporting children through being and doing together.
The impact of AWARE project will extend beyond individual teachers. The aim is that trauma-informed and child-centred teacher education will be embedded in the Ukrainian education system in line with the Ukrainian School Reform. This will support children’s recovery and learning and strengthen teachers’ well-being and resilience in challenging circumstances.
Aiming for healthy children and teachers
The cooperation will result in two new three-credit modules: one for the master’s level students and another for the professional development programme for in-service teachers. The trainings will strengthen teachers’ capacity to identify children’s symptoms of trauma and stress, provide psychosocial support through play and self-expression, and build safe learning environments.
The project focuses on co-development and learning together between the three higher education partners.
“Our Ukrainian partners will lead the design and testing of the modules’ content, and we will support the process with our pedagogical expertise and quality assurance,” says Johanna Tervo, Project Manager of the project.
Visit to Hämeenlinna in October
As part of the project, Ukrainian partners will visit Hämeenlinna twice. The first time they will arrive on 27-29 October. They will visit the Finnish early childhood education system, local kindergartens and organisations working to support the well-being of children and families. The visit will also include joint workshops to plan the project’s training package and content. The project is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education’s Team Finland Knowledge Programme.
HAMK is also involved in Bridge2Skills project of the Finnish National Agency for Education. It develops vocational education and training in Ukraine. At the end of September, HAMK was visited by Iryna Shumik, Director of Vocational Education and Training of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. During her visit, Ms Shumik visited the vocational teacher training and met with the rectors of HAMK. Cooperation will continue with visits by Ukrainian teachers and principals to our region in the near future.
Find out more about the Aware project:
