Practical sessions held in Turkmenistan to strengthen child-centered early childhood education

UNICEF and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan continue to enhance their partnership to strengthen child-centered early childhood education in the country. To this end, practical sessions and consultations aimed at training and professional development for pre-school educators were held from October 12 to 16 in Mary and Ashgabat. The events focused on introducing play-based and inquiry-based learning approaches, bringing together representatives from the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, regional and district-level specialists, and pre-school teachers.

As part of the activities in Mary, UNICEF international pre-school education expert Christian Fabbi, alongside members of the national team, visited pilot pre-school institutions. The delegation observed the application of play-based and inquiry-based approaches in early childhood education and attended practical sessions. Additionally, a practical training session was organized for around 35 specialists and educators, focusing on cognitive, emotional, and creative development. The sessions highlighted how a supportive learning environment and pedagogical observations help address the unique needs of each child.

The two-day practical workshop in Ashgabat was dedicated to reviewing and approving two new methodological guidebooks and practical tools for training pre-school educators. Participants discussed ways to incorporate these newly developed psychology and pedagogy materials into training curricula for future and current pre-school teachers.

Zhanar Sagimbayeva, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Turkmenistan, noted that quality early childhood education begins with professionals who have a deep understanding of early childhood development. She emphasized that promoting child-centered play-based approaches and strengthening professional development systems will help create an inclusive environment where every child can reach their full potential.

The approved teaching and learning materials will support the Ministry of Education's initiatives in pre-school education and contribute significantly to building a strong foundation for the future learning and development of young children across Turkmenistan.