Who the programme supports
Children, parents & teachers — together
The programme works across all three groups simultaneously, recognising that children’s wellbeing depends directly on the adults around them.
Children aged 4–6
7 weekly group sessions in a safe, creative environment. Children learn to understand and express emotions, manage fear and difficult memories, and build resilience.
Parents & families
Sessions cover dealing with stress, children’s reactions, and how parents can nurture their children’s
vitality. Parents are kept updated throughout the programme.
Teachers & staff
Training, observation and follow-up consultations for all kindergarten personnel — equipping educators with the tools to create and sustain a safe environment.
Why this programme matters
Children are among the most psychologically vulnerable in wartime Ukraine
Millions of Ukrainian children have had their childhoods defined by the events of the last years: forced relocations, fathers on front-lines, friends scattered across the globe — living in cities attacked daily by missiles and drones, spending time in air-raid shelters.
This level of stress is beyond what the immature psyche of a child can process alone. Children depend on the adults around them for psychological stability — which is why Safe Space works with the whole kindergarten community, not just the children.
Safe Space is built on scientifically-proven, internationally-recognised methodology and has been implemented in the Ukrainian education system since 2015.
Programme foundation
Created by specialists at the Mental Health Centre of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Supervised by Oksana Zaleska, one of Ukraine’s leading child psychologists with 30 years’ experience.
How it works
Three stages of work
Stage 1 — Educators
Training & observation
- Training of all kindergarten personnel
- Observation of lessons and teaching methods
- Follow-up consultations on request
Stage 2 — Parents
Introductory sessions
- 2 sessions × 45 minutes, 12–16 participants
- Impact of stress on adults and children
- How parents can nurture children’s resilience
- Informed consent and programme overview
Stage 3 — Children
In Safe Embrace
- 7 weekly sessions × 45 minutes
- 6–8 children per group
- Creative, play-based therapeutic activities
- Joint session with parents in week 7
The 7 sessions — In Safe Embrace
What children experience each week
Establishing contact
Creating safe group principles, building trust, introducing group members.
Getting to know feelings
Understanding emotions, their origins and roles in life. Naming feelings freely.
Managing reactions
Parents session
Parents learn how stress affects children and their role in emotional development.
Fear
Learning to assess and manage fear. Building strength and a sense of safety in the body.
Bad memories
Directed imagination, safe-place concepts, and managing difficult memories.
Anger
Safe expression of aggressive feelings. Understanding that anger can be useful.
Strengthening connections Joint session with parents
Strengthening family ties, planning positive activities, restoring a sense of control over life.
Programme team
