European REYN Early Childhood Study at a glance

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Year: 2023

European REYN Early Childhood Study at a glance

The REYN Early Childhood Research sheds light on young Roma children and their parents throughout Europe. The study brings together unprecedented Roma related early childhood data, exploring six key areas impacting upon the child’s development: family and living environment, health and well being, safety and security, early learning, responsive parenting, and discrimination and antigypsyism.

The study has been carried out in the 11 countries in which National REYNs operate: Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. Data has been analysed from questionaries, in depth interviews, and focus groups from over 900 people, including more than 500 Roma families, 312 professionals, 56 practitioners, and 47 policymakers. Despite drawing from a considerable sample size, the present data should not generalize the status of young Roma children and their families in countries or in Europe as a whole.

The findings from the REYN Early Childhood Research are of an indicative nature. They flag the challenges and barriers that need further investigation in order to inform transformative approaches and policy actions which may improve the status of young Roma children in Europe. In turn, this will enable each young Roma child to reach their full potential to grow and thrive!

Toolkit to bring play and inclusion to refugees living in remote communities

Mobile Play Hubs are a more flexible and immediate response to offer high-quality nonformal educational support to children and families. The below resources are intended for organisations wishing to set up and run Mobile Play Hubs for children aged 0 to 10 years old. It is also useful to regular Play Hubs and other non-formal ECEC settings that want to make (outdoor) play more accessible to children of all ages.

The Toolkit is divided into two parts (Operating guidelines and 16 Activity cards) with which practitioners will be able to set up a Mobile Play Hub and increase their knowledge about different forms of outdoor play. The Activity Cards provide inspiration to make outdoor play as accessible as possible.

You can download “Mobile Play Hub – Operating Guidelines and Outdoor Play” here and “Mobile Play Hub – Activity Cards” here.

Toolkit on inclusive community based ECEC

Inclusive education requires the use of varied strategies and techniques to ensure equal participation of all children to advance their development. Due to its nature and qualities, play forms part of flexible, child-centred and participatory/experiential educational strategies for celebrating diversity in education.

This Toolkit is for practitioners in any non-formal setting for children 0-8 years old interested in strengthening inclusive education. More about this resource can be found here.

The Toolkit is available in English. Translation in Ukrainian and other languages will be available soon.

 

Activity Cards for the Toolkit on inclusive community based ECEC
The Activity Cards were created to be used in the Play Hubs by practitioners to promote inclusive formal and non-formal education with young children and their parents, paying special attention to children with disabilities and special needs. However, they can be used and adapted by any other formal and non-formal service. Read more here.

It can be downloaded in English and Ukrainian, with Hungarian and Slovak translations coming soon.

‘Play for Inclusion’ Handbook

Professional development is key to the quality and impact of any ECEC service. Professionals working with refugee children need appropriate knowledge, competencies, and skills to build safe environments and promote the integration and well-being of distressed children and their caregivers.

The ‘Play for Inclusion’ Handbook is a new resource for practitioners who work in non-formal early childhood education and care (ECEC) services supporting the integration and psychosocial well-being of young refugee children and their caregivers. Read here for more information.

The Handbook is available in English, Croatian, Slovak, and Ukrainian. Translations in other languages will be available soon.