Ukrainian scientists share insights on preschool education in wartime

The research division Early Childhood Education, located at The Faculty of Education at the University of Innsbruck, hosted a lecture on December 10, 2024, featuring two distinguished professors from Ukraine: Prof. Olena Hnizdilova from Poltava V.G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University and Prof. Oresta Karpenko from Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University. The lecture explored the pedagogical practices employed in Ukrainian preschools during the ongoing war, delving into the challenges faced by preschool teachers and children in these trying times. It highlighted the strategies implemented to create secure and supportive learning environments, such as play-based therapy. Moreover, the lecture underscored the resilience of Ukrainian children and preschool teachers, who remain steadfast in their commitment to early childhood education, even in the face of adversity. By sharing these experiences, the lecture aimed to emphasize the crucial role of preschool education, especially in the most challenging circumstances.

In collaboration with Prof. Oresta Karpenko, Prof. Olena Hnizdilova, and Prof. Mariya Chepil  (Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University), Prof. Wilfried Smidt, Dr. Eva-Maria Embacher (University of Innsbruck), and Dr. Tina Eckstein-Madry (German Youth Institute) are currently undertaking a research project “The quality of preschool teachers’ training in Austria and Ukraine: A comparative analysis” (2023-2025). This project recognizes the significant impact of the quality of training for early childhood education specialists on pedagogical practices. The project aims to analyze the quality of early childhood education training in greater detail, with the goal of providing valuable insights to educational institutions and policymakers to improve the training of future education professionals.