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Description
The main goal of the project is to improve self-sufficiency and activeness of children with special educational needs, increase their access to innovative teaching and learning which will provide them with equal educational opportunities and reduce bariers and disparities in acess to school educatinal services. Due to the large numer of students with specific learning difficulties in our school and limited access to free, therapeutic, interesting and developing potential classes at school as well as in the local area, it is needed to expand the offer of extracurricular activities for those children. The project will embrace about 30 students from grades I-VI, aged 7-12 with diagnosed dyslexia, perceptual deficits, dissonant development, ADHD, cognitive deficits, Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Furthermore we would also like to organise meetings and consultation for parents to inform them about the aim of the project and simultaneously support them in their everyday funcionality and help them to deal with the effects of pandemic, distance learning and restricted availability to proffesional assistance. Also teachers from the whole community will benefit from the project by participating in meetings in which they will learn about innovative methods, techniques and experiences acquired in the project. Our Norwegian partner will conduct training with COS and ICDP programmes about parental counselling and positive relationship between a child and a teacher/a guardian. We are planning a 10-day visit in Norway during which we will visit different educational establishments and take part in a 2-day training. We want to change the face of our school to more child-friendly and create safe, warm and relaxing space, where they could meet, unwind, de-stress, talk, get help and support. We focus on innovative educational methods. We want to impact not only our school but also entire local community.
Summary of project results
Due to the large number of students with dysfunctions, we have noticed that there is a need to increase the range of activities for children, as at school and in the city, parents have limited access to specialized activities. We contacted our partner from Norway, Izabela Wójtowicz. The aim of the project was to activate and improve educational accessibility for children. As part of the project, we took part in two courses organised by our partner from Norway:
ICDP and COS courses.
The trainings gave us an opportunity to look at the “style” of bonding with children at school and kindergarten. Thanks to the fact that the topics of the courses are very versatile, everyone could create their own strategies for participation in the life of the child.
In September 2023, a visit to Norway took place, during which we visited educational institutions, where we had the opportunity to observe the way Norwegian teachers work.
On 14. 09. 2023 there was a conference in Oslo “Equal Opportunities for Children with Special Needs”, which we co-organised.
We conducted consultations with parents to support their parenting skills by familiarizing them with
the Norwegian approach to education.
Our project covered 30 children from grades I - VI, aged 7 - 12 with dyslexia, perceptual deficits, sensory problems, symptoms of Asperger syndrome, ADHD, cognitive deficits and symptoms of autism. We conducted 54 different classes for students in 3 age groups. We organized 4 free trips: swimming pool, bowling, cinema, mini zoo.
The results of the project are: pedagogical innovation in the Scandinavian style, classes for children, consultations for parents, study visit to Norway, conferences in Oslo and Żychlin, a series of trainings for project participants and pedagogical staff. As a result of the project, 30 children were provided with activities to improve their all-round development. Each child had an individual development plan, which can be used by specialists in further work. An increased level of parenting skills was observed in parents. The project was of great importance to the local community, as they were able to attend free lectures during the conference, free classes and consultations with specialists. Public awareness of children with SPE has increased. The ability of teachers to work with children with various deficits has increased. The project’s website, youtube channel and fb page were created.
Summary of bilateral results
We became interested in the Norwegian system because it differs from the education system in Poland. The support system for children with difficulties, disorders, and disabilities, as well as the support system for children and families, its organization, effectiveness of action, and the pedagogical work system are based on teamwork. Documentation in educational institutions is limited, which allows for a great deal of freedom of action and encourages spontaneity. This work is based on mutual trust, and institutions closely cooperate with the caregivers of their charges. Izabela Wójtowicz, our partner, worked for 10 years as a pedagogical leader and as a teacher supporting children with special educational needs. She has experience collaborating with childcare services, educational and psychological counseling centers, the Family Care Office, as well as volunteering for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Adults for Children Organization. The partner has experience in conducting training on innovative methods of working with children, which is why she actively built potential in the project, conducted training for project participants, prepared materials necessary for activities, such as presentations, and also implemented a program aimed at parents and caregivers, supporting their caregiving and educational competencies. The goal of the cooperation was to find and confirm self-confidence in the caregiver role, and thus to become a stable, good, and conscious parent and teacher. During project meetings,participants had the opportunity to find their own solutions in their relationship with the child.Izabela Wojtowicz also implemented the Circle of Security program and the ICDP Parenting Counseling Course on positive interaction between caregiver and child. At the Partner initiative, events promoting the "After School" project took place in the donor country, through LIVE chats on the FB page, radio broadcasts, and visits to the Polish consulate in Norway.