HOW TO HELP UKRAINIAN CHILDREN IN POLAND?

Ukrainian children have experienced war, which has strongly shaken their sense of security. So it is natural that they will stick close to people they know. They will not always be open and willing to take on new challenges. Therefore, they should not be separated from their loved ones and thrown unprepared into an unfamiliar environment, such as a kindergarten group or a school classroom. Such actions can have dramatic consequences. Children may feel lonely, frightened, unable to communicate, alienated, or of no value at all. They may suffer and gain nothing from education, because their brains are not ready for development. The inclusion of these children in the educational system must be carried out progressively and great forbearance should be shown. It is necessary to be gentle with the children, but also understanding of Ukrainian mothers who are coping with their own trauma and still responsible for their families. They probably won’t always be able to give their children the support they themselves so desperately need.

So when helping let us remember:

Not to separate children from their loved ones. At the beginning, let’s organize joint meetings so that children can at any time have contact with their mother or another person with whom they feel safe. Let’s get to know each other through joint activities. Even if we don’t know Ukrainian (because we’re unlikely to), we can do something together.

What specifically can we do?

Adaptation classes in kindergarten. Outside of kindergarten working hours, classes can be conducted by a kindergarten teacher, and can be attended by both parents and Ukrainian children, as well as willing Polish children with their parents. Such classes can be organized once a week, usually last 1-2 hours, have a steady rhythm and allow the groups to have fun together. The better the weather, the easier it is to organize these classes outdoor – the children have more freedom, and the parents have the opportunity to get to know each other.

Adaptation in the form of picnics and joint activities of the kindergarten, preschool or school community. A picnic can take the form of an excursion, bonfire or outdoor games. It can also be about working together – renewing a fence, building a shed or preparing beds for children’s crops. The possibilities are plentiful – the idea is to involve refugee families in joint activities for the school or kindergarten their children will attend. It’s important to feel needed. Let’s move together – a joint bonfire, a walk in the neighborhood, a trip to the woods, tidying up the garden together where vegetables can be planted.

Organize a fundraiser so that mothers don’t have to look for any work right away, but have time to assimilate their own children first and give them a safe start. Many refugees are talented and have a lot of work experience. With a trusted place of care for their children at least some of them will be able to find a job that will give them a sense of being needed and valuable. I wish this so much for everyone.

Monika Rościszewska-Woźniak
CEO, COMENIUS FOUNDATION FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT