International Seminar "Modern Childhood: Theory and Practice"

On March 24, the Aaron R. Deris state university presented a report on "Special Education for Preschool Children. Peculiarities of working with families raising children with heath limitations" within the International Project "Modern Childhood: Theory and Practice", organized and led by Olga Klypa, Doctor of Psychology, Professor of the Department of Pedagogy and Child Psychology.

The participants were presented with a practical and innovative for Russia tool for working with families raising special children. The experience of foreign colleagues shows that before planning programs for psychological and pedagogical assistance to such a family, it is essential to take into account its resources, living space, and the living conditions. The task of specialists is to study the resources and living space and to teach parents how to use it for stabilization of the family life system and the socialization of the child.

The presented approach aroused great interest in the audience. Galina Makoedova, Candidate of Pedagogic Sciences, head of the Center for Inclusive Education, outlined the problems that are being faced by such families and emphasized that currently Russia is open for models of assistance focused on organizing work outside the family space. Anna Antonova, Ph.D., Professor at Moscow State Pedagogical University, noted that the seminar was interesting and fruitful, and expressed her readiness to take part in this project with enthusiasm. Student groups No. 713 and No. 723, studying preschool defectology, also took part in the discussion of the stated problem.

Within the framework of this project, the next seminar is planned on April 26, where Olga Bodenova, senior lecturer of the Department of Pedagogy and Child Psychology, is going to present her report dedicated to the preparation of children for school and the difficulties of adapting to school conditions.