Developing the capacities of preschool caregivers for social and emotional learning at preschools

In the first years of children’s lives, children’s brains develop at an unprecedented speed. Social and emotional development at this age does not just enhance children’s emotional wellbeing, but also their ability to learn, work with others, and develop foundational skills for formal learning and social interaction in school years and beyond.

Outside of the home, preschool teachers and caregivers play a key role in stimulating social and emotional and emotional development in children. For this reason, between 2019 and 2022, UNICEF rolled-out the programme on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with all preschool teachers in all public preschools in the country. To further sustain the effects of the programme, UNICEF is currently supporting further expansion of the programme to preschool caregivers, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

As part of this process, a bespoke training programme for preschool caregivers was developed, based on the SEL programme implemented with preschool teachers. The programme is currently being used for a series of capacity-development trainings of caregivers. Throughout February, three rounds of trainings are being organized for more than 100 caregivers who will then be working with peer support teacher mentors to disseminate the training through the professional learning communities at their preschool.

The trainings are taking place at Hotel Karposh in Skopje. The first round took place on 11 & 12 February, while the remaining two sessions will take place on 18 & 19 and 25 & 26 February.