Respecting all our differences is child’s play
YOUNG children from rural areas in Co. Louth are set to benefit from an innovative new £1.2m cross border project that will place respecting difference at the heart of learning with the use of puppets and cartoon messages.
Tots & Co Playgroup, Monasterboice, will be one of the early learning centres to take part in the ‘Rural Respecting Difference Programme’, which is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
Over a three-year period, the ‘Rural Respecting Difference Programme’ will engage with young children attending rural preschool, daycare and afterschool settings to build a better understanding of physical, social, ethnic and cultural differences.
The project will be delivered via several engaging, innovative and fun based teaching methods including the use of specially created persona puppets. Each puppet has been developed with its own identity and media message and offers a non-threatening, effective and child friendly way to develop emotional literacy and empower young children.The project will also extend beyond the children to benefit parents, staff, management committees of early years settings and the wider community.
“We are delighted to be involved in this project working alongside recognised leaders in the childcare sector,” says Teresa Canavan, Chief Executive, Rural Development Council.
“Research has found strong and robust evidence that early intervention programmes such as this are effective in improving outcomes for young children in relation to their social and emotional development and awareness of and attitudes towards cultural difference. We look forward to witnessing the results of this 3-year project.”