Preschool Education in Edineț District — a Step Toward a Child-Centered Approach

During September–October 2025, teaching staff from 35 kindergartens in Edineț District participated in training sessions held in Chișinău, followed by online sessions, as part of the educational program “Step by Step”, implemented with the support of UNICEF Moldova and the Ministry of Education and Research.

Project Objective

The project’s main objective is to enhance the professional competencies of teaching staff in applying child-centered education — a modern approach that values each child’s uniqueness and promotes active learning, collaboration, and well-being.
The training sessions supported educators in implementing innovative teaching strategies based on learning through play, socio-emotional development, and interactive reading, providing practical contexts and concrete resources for integrating these methods into daily preschool activities.

Themes and Activities

The sessions were conducted in an interactive format, combining theory, practice, and pedagogical reflection. The main topics included:

• Child-centered education: from theory to practice
• Learning through play and integrated activities
• Children’s socio-emotional development through stories and guided reading
• Individualization of the educational process and the theory of multiple intelligences
• Interactive reading as a tool for developing language and empathy
• Active partnership with families and extending learning into the home environment

Participants explored creative ways to transform reading into a moment of emotional connection and active learning, experimenting with methods of self-regulation and co-regulation, and reflecting on the educator’s role as a guide and partner in each child’s development.

Results and Impressions

Educators appreciated the practical nature of the training sessions, the relevance of the topics discussed, and the opportunity to share professional experiences.
Many noted that the activities inspired them to reorganize their educational environments, adopt new forms of interaction with children, and actively involve parents in the learning process.

In their final reflections, participants emphasized that “reading and socio-emotional activities are not just methods of learning, but bridges between a child’s mind and heart,” and that “learning through play becomes a natural path for growth and exploration.”

Equipping Educational Resource Centers

In addition to the training component, kindergartens in Edineț District benefited from the equipping of educational resource centers with modern equipment, furniture, and teaching materials — including educational games, learning kits, modular furniture, books, and resources for reading and socio-emotional development activities.
These resources support the implementation of modern teaching methods and help create friendly, safe, and inclusive learning spaces for all children.

Conclusion

Through the active involvement of teaching staff and the support provided by UNICEF Moldova, the Ministry of Education, and the “Step by Step” educational program, Edineț District has become a model of good practice in promoting quality early childhood education.
Investing in teacher training and in the equipping of kindergartens directly contributes to the creation of an empathetic, participatory, and child-centered educational environment — an important step toward a better future for every child.