The "All Children in Education - All Children in Education (ACE Project)" Program is implemented in the Homework and Creative Activities Centres (HCACs) of ELIX, are located in Athens on Patision Street, in the wider area of Western Attica and Facility of Elefsina, in the Facility of Corinth and finally in the wider area of Peloponnese. Operation of Kindergartens takes place in the HCACs of Corinth and Patision Street.
Kindergarten is a new and unexplored world for every young child. It is the first natural environment, outside of family, where children try to express themselves and begin to understand their feelings. At the beginning of the school year, an adjustment period is necessary, especially in recent years as with the COVID-19 pandemic, most children have been forced to limit their social life to a minimum.
It is therefore very important to redefine the team spirit, and the feeling of security in such spaces.
ELIX preschool teacher at the HCAC of Corinth, Ms M.Liakou explains the importance and practices of a safe space:
“The formation of a safe space in the classroom, even from pre-school age, is a basic foundation for building safe relationships in the context of the school, but also for the acquisition of cognitive and psychosocial skills by the children.
A safe space promotes safety of physical space, emotional safety, freedom of expression and respect. The start of the new school year is a good opportunity to renew and reorganize classrooms. In order to create a safe environment in the Kindergarten, ELIX staff takes care of reducing the dangerous points to a minimum, the cleanliness of the area, while also maintaining the balance of stimuli, to avoid overstimulation.
Establishing clear educational-themed "corners" and creating a relaxation corner for children, is an integral part of the kindergarten classroom and provide students with the space required in order to unleash their imaginations and innate curiosity, as well as to isolate themselves for relaxation when needed. Representing themselves in the classroom, for example by decorating the space with their own works or using inclusive pictures and flashcards, helps children to feel a part of a certain space and see parts of themselves in it.
In the space of each class, big children coexist with the little ones, so any decisions about changes are co-decided equally through proposals, ideas and initiatives from both sides.”
