Spaces That Change Lives: Stories from Play and Learning Resource Centers in Moldova’s Kindergartens
Step by step, a beautiful story has taken shape in Moldova’s kindergartens. The project “Resource Center – Play and Learning Space,” implemented by the Step by Step Educational Program with the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Education and Research, has brought joy, curiosity, and active learning to thousands of children, educators, and parents. From north to south, from east to west, kindergartens have become vibrant spaces where reading, play, and emotions intertwine in harmony.
The following stories represent just a handful of voices that have honestly and enthusiastically shared what has happened in these centers – from Bălți, Chișinău, Strășeni, Telenești, Sîngerei, Soroca, and other corners of Moldova.
Where Stories Come to Life
At Kindergarten No. 1 “Spiriduș” in Bălți, children don’t just listen to stories – they live them. Every reading session is an adventure. Emotions are explored, stories become bridges of communication, and children, brave and sincere, begin to express their thoughts: “I’m a big girl and I can do it myself!” said a little girl inspired by the book Helping Hands.
In IET No. 6 in Sîngerei, educators say the center has become a space where children discover empathy, compassion, and the courage to see the world beyond their front doors. “It’s a new world, colorful and sincere. Children arrive with bright smiles, eager to discover the day’s next adventure.”
When Parents Become Partners
Many parents initially entered the world of educational kits with hesitation. At Kindergarten No. 91 in Chișinău, educators turned encouragement into routine: round tables, Viber messages, and demonstration workshops. Today, parents say they understand their children’s emotions better than ever.
In Bălți’s “Zâmbetul” Kindergarten, families have integrated the kits into daily life. Songs from the kits are sung on the way to kindergarten, activity albums spark family conversations, and children discover that even dads can sing.
The Child Who Transforms
“Curiosity comes to life!” say the educators in Bălți. And in every corner of Moldova, the same joy of discovery is found. Children have become more communicative, more confident, more empathetic. They are no longer mere recipients of education, but active participants in their own growth.
In Sîngerei, a vulnerable family managed to integrate their child with hearing loss thanks to the center’s activities. In Telenești, the center is described as every child’s favorite place. In Soroca, it has become a model visited and admired by educators from other kindergartens.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
Of course, not everything was easy. Sometimes, there wasn’t enough time, and schedules were hard to follow. Some parents were hesitant, and some children lacked motivation. But where passion was present, educators found solutions: workshops, personalized messages, demonstration sessions, and adapted activities. And the results could be seen – in the children’s eyes, in the parents’ voices, and in the daily creativity of educators.
A Living Network of Stories
This network of centers is much more than a project. It’s a collective story about how early childhood education can take deep roots when it is nurtured with care, passion, and purpose.
What we have shared above are just fragments from hundreds of reports submitted by kindergartens across Moldova. But each report is proof that when the child is at the center of learning, when the parent is a partner, and when the educator is inspired and supported, learning becomes a story with a happy ending.
