On May 7, 2025, the Department of Preschool and Special Education at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy organised and held an international scientific and practical conference titled “Modern Preschool Education in the Context of Integration into the European Educational Space”.

The event brought together scholars, teachers, representatives of education institutions and public organizations from Ukraine, Poland, the USA, Georgia, Israel, Bulgaria, Turkey. The conference served as a platform for discussing current challenges and prospects for the development of preschool education in the context of international cooperation and European integration.

Tymofii Desiatov, Director of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Pedagogical Education, Social Work and Art, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, welcomed the conference participants and emphasized the importance of international dialogue and exchange of experience for improving the quality of educational services in the sector of preschool education. The conference participants were also welcomed by Oleh Topuzov, Vice-President of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Full Member of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Sciences in Pedagogy, Professor, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine. In his speech, he highlighted the significance of partnerships between the scientific and educational communities in enhancing the quality of preschool education within the framework of Ukraine’s European choice.

The conference participants had the opportunity to learn about current scientific developments, innovative practices, and international experience. In-depth reports were presented by:

• Olha Reipolska, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Preschool Education and Upbringing, Head of the Center for Early Childhood Development and Preschool Education at the Institute of Educational Problems of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine – “Management Strategy for Preschool Education Institutions in Crisis Situations: Challenges and Prospects”.
• Kateryna Krutii, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Preschool Education at Mariupol State University – “Infant Care Practices in Ukrainian and European Childhood Pedagogy: Similarities and Differences”.
• Renata Socha, doktor nauk społecznych, Profesor Oświaty, Pełnomocnik Rektora Uczelnia Jana Wyżykowskiego ds. Nauki, koordynator kierunku psychologia, psycholog, pedagog, terapeuta, Uczelnia Jana Wyżykowskiego (UJW) (Polkowicach, Poland) – “Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normality in Kindergarten”.
• Olha Nikonchuk-Darras, Founder of the Jo. Ha. Ku. Family Center (Tbilisi, Georgia) – “The Ecosystem of Educational Institutions and Modern Projects for Preschoolers in Belgium and France”.
• Daphna Sharon Maksimov, CBT Psychotherapist, International Trauma and PTSD Expert for Children and Adolescents, Author of the Hibuki Therapy Method, Peace Prize 2025 Laureate for Active Support of Ukraine (Israel) — “Hibuki Therapy – A Universal Method for Treating Trauma, PTSD, Fears, and Anxieties in Children”.
• Hanna Chorna, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Preschool and Primary Education, Head of the Laboratory of Preschool and Primary Education at the Faculty of Social Pedagogy and Psychology at Zaporizhzhia National University – “Activity-Based Approach in Training Future Preschool Teachers”.
• Halyna Shkliaieva, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Preschool Education of the Communal Institution of Higher Education “Kremenchuk Humanitarian and Technological Academy” of the Poltava Regional Council – “Pedagogical Dialogue as a Form of Interpersonal Interaction”.
• Magdalena Skorobogata, doctor, assistant professor, Jan Wyżykowski University in Polkowice (Poland) – “Practical Recommendations for Child and Parent Psychotherapy in the Context of Supporting the Development of Resilience”.
• Olena Brovata, Head of the Preschool and Secondary Education Department, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Preschool Education of the Communal Institution of Higher Education “Kremenchuk Humanitarian and Technological Academy” of the Poltava Regional Council – “Developing Motor and Health-Preserving Competence in Preschoolers through Fitness and Bouldering”.
• Yulia Korobko, Defectologist, Speech Therapist, Myotherapist, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Preschool Education of the Communal Institution of Higher Education “Kremenchuk Humanitarian and Technological Academy” of the Poltava Regional Council – “Sensory Integration as a Method of Corrective Work with Children with Special Educational Needs”.

Representatives of the Department of Education and Humanitarian Policy of Cherkasy City Council, responsible for the development of preschool education in the city of Cherkasy, actively participated in the international conference. Among them were Oksana Zubenko, Deputy Head of the Education Department – Head of the Preschool and Extracurricular Education Department; Svitlana Bielova and Iryna Lynnyk, Chief Specialists of the Department. Their participation in the conference highlighted the importance of interdepartmental cooperation and support for innovations in preschool education at the city level.

One of the notable participants was Valeriia Shynkariova, owner of the private kindergarten “SOVA kid’s space” in the city of Cherkasy, Cherkasy City Council Deputy, Education and Humanitarian Policy Advisor to the Mayor. Her participation demonstrated the importance of synergy between the private and public sectors in developing high-quality and modern preschool education. Valeriia Serhiivna emphasized the need to implement the Hibuki Therapy Method as an effective tool for helping children overcome psychological difficulties.

The conference was also attended by representatives of Cherkasy preschool education institutions, who actively implement modern approaches to teaching and upbringing preschool children. Among the participants were: Tetiana Prasol, Head of Preschool Education Institution (Nursery-Kindergarten) No. 50 “Svitloforchyk” of the Cherkasy City Council; Liubov Tiabut, Head of Combined-Type Preschool Education Institution (Nursery-Kindergarten) No. 41 “Dudaryk” of the Cherkasy City Council; Anna Honcharenko, Head of Combined-Type Preschool Education Institution (Nursery-Kindergarten) No. 5 “Chervona Hvozdyka” of the Cherkasy City Council; Nataliia Lytovchenko, Head of Preschool Education Institution (Nursery-Kindergarten) No. 22 “Zhaivoronok” of the Cherkasy City Council; Svitlana Hlushchenko, Head of Preschool Education Institution (Nursery-Kindergarten) No. 38 “Zolotyi Kliuchyk” of the Cherkasy City Council.

Within the framework of the international scientific and practical conference “Modern Preschool Education in the Context of Integration into the European Educational Space”, workshops in the format of a mini EdCamp were held, which served as an interactive platform for the exchange of experience and ideas among students, professional practitioners, and stakeholders in the field of education. This format of the event contributed to the active participation of youth in discussions on innovative approaches to teaching and developing preschool children, and also demonstrated close cooperation between the scientific community and practicing educators.

The speakers of the workshops were educators from Preschool Education Institution (Nursery-Kindergarten) No. 22 “Zhaivoronok” of the Cherkasy City Council: Liudmyla Havrylova, Category II Educator, with the presentation “Isotherapy – Therapy through Fine Arts”, Nataliia Stepanenko, Highest Category Educator, with the presentation “Exploratory and Research Activities: ‘Air Around Us’”.

“The conference confirms the openness of the Ukrainian educational community to cooperation, innovation, and the adoption of European practices into the national educational space. Through joint efforts, we are shaping a new quality of preschool education based on the values ​​of partnership, openness, innovation, and child-centeredness. We sincerely thank all speakers, participants, and partners for their fruitful work and inspiration, as well as the scientific and pedagogical staff and students of the Department of Preschool and Special Education for the high level of event organization, professionalism, and engagement in the implementation of this important event for all professionals in the field of preschool education,” Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Preschool and Special Education, Inna Nikolaiesku noted.

The Department of Preschool and Special Education