‘We talk about developing personalities in educational establishments, but we are still trying to base the education of children on our personal experiences. Children differ not only in terms the pace and methods of learning but also in terms of the length and form of rest. With the new school year approaching, we have prepared guidelines for the organisation of children’s daily rest for kindergartens in the capital city, and we will offer other forms of daily rest for children besides afternoon nap’, says the Vice Mayor of Vilnius Donalda Meiželytė, adding that the change will definitely take time, require education of the kindergarten communities, and consistent work with the children’s parents (guardians).
Recognising the challenge of high-quality recreation for children in kindergartens, a Working Group, which includes not only managers of innovative kindergartens, representatives of Vilnius Pedagogical Psychological Service, but also representatives of the steering group for the consolidation of alternatives to daytime recreation for children attending pre-school institutions and representatives of the parents of the Family Association has been set up.
According to Urtė Žukauskaitė-Zabukė, a member of the steering group, Vilnius Municipality has proactively address the problem and was one of the first to address it, demonstrating the highest work ethics and positive leadership.
‘In a short time, a working group was initiated and steps were developed to help parents communicate more clearly and openly with kindergartens about the needs of their children. Until now, each family has dealt with the problem individually, but now there will be systemic solutions in Vilnius, and we have been trying to communicate the need for them,’ says U. Žukauskaitė-Zabukė.
The guidelines distributed to kindergartens in Vilnius stipulate that the head of the pre-school institution, with the involvement of the community of the establishment (teachers, educational support specialists, parents/guardians) and taking into account the existing resources of the institution (human, financial, facilities), agrees on the organisation of the children’s day off. The form of recreation shall be appropriate to the age of the child, reducing stimulation and activity. Not group activities but individual activities are recommended, and there should be more than one activity to allow children to change between them.
If individual activities are not possible, group activities may be organised in a separate space (e.g. hall, sensory room, classrooms, etc.) or outside.
Children’s needs for daytime recreation may change during the course of the school year, and changes are discussed individually with the child’s parents (guardians).
The aim is to respect the individuality of every little resident in the capital city and meet their needs, while Vilnius kindergartens organise children’ s day care in a flexible and innovative way.
