March 10, 2025
The project materials Learning from 7 Key Experiences, developed by Labedu, began to be adopted in Ukraine after being adapted to the local language and context. In addition to the translation, new images were incorporated to represent the country's population. The interactive deck and activity guides are being distributed both at virtual events promoted by the NGO EdCamp Ukraine and in printed format, as part of a large-scale project aimed at early childhood education in the country.
Last week, Beatriz Cardoso and Nicole Paulet Piedra, directors of Labedu, participated online in one of these seminars, Resiliency Toloka. During the event, experts shared experiences on how to support children and adults in challenging times. The term Interpret, in Ukrainian, means a community meeting to achieve a common goal.
During the event, Labedu presented the materials to Ukrainian educators and families, and emphasized the importance of relationships between children and adults for the full development of childhood, which is also affected by the interruption in access to schools due to the war that is ravaging the country. Talking about the war was, in fact, one of the highlights of the discussion with the participants, who reported frequently hearing questions from children about the topic.
“Children ask all kinds of questions, from the simplest to the most complex. It is essential not to answer only the easy questions, but also to welcome the challenging ones. Living with a loving and patient adult who listens and talks is one of the best things we can offer them,” said Beatriz.
Teaching material for everyday learning
The Ukraine-adapted set of materials includes 49 interactive cards and activity guides designed to help families turn everyday moments into learning opportunities. These resources are designed to engage children in simple, hands-on ways through conversation, exploration and play, without the need for special tools or complex planning.
Nicole Paulet Piedra highlighted that the cards are not just activities, but tools for adults to take a closer look at everyday situations and thus perceive opportunities to contribute to different aspects of their learning and development.
“Today’s children are different from tomorrow’s children. Interactive decks help us to see this, because each time they are used, they can generate new observations and interactions, revealing what the child already knows, what makes them curious. Even if families don’t always notice, children are learning all the time. These everyday moments of learning become more visible with the deck’s cards. By revisiting the materials, we train our eyes to see how children think, play and interact with the world around them,” he explained.
Collaboration between Labedu and Ukraine started in 2023, through a partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. The project is part of the initiative Learning from 7 Key Experiences, which aims to promote quality education and the exchange of pedagogical practices between different contexts.
Watch the full seminar: