New initiative to support social and emotional development of pre-school aged children

UNICEF, UK Embassy and Svetot na Bibi partner to expand play-based social and emotion learning

Skopje, 6 October 2021 – Today UNICEF, British Embassy Skopje and Svetot na Bibi launched a new initiative to support parents develop the skills they need to use play-based activities to build social and emotional development of children.

The new UNICEF and Svetot na Bibi initiative, funded by the British Embassy Skopje includes a series of animated stories, picture books and other material to support social and emotional learning in the earliest years of life.   The initiative was launched at an online workshop where parents were able to engage with experts and get practical tips on activities to help children learn how to recognize and deal with emotions.

“We, the parents, the educators, but also, the society, need to be included in the social and emotional development of the children. By integrating thinking, feeling and behaving, it is possible to achieve these important life tasks,” said Rachel Galloway, British Ambassador to North Macedonia.

“In the first years of children’s lives, children’s brains develop at an unprecedented speed. This period offers a unique opportunity to shape the child’s ability to learn, grow and form healthy relations. Every interaction, connection and play, no matter how small, can stimulate brain development in children and promote their health and wellbeing”, said Artur Ayvazov, UNICEF Deputy Representative. “Social and emotional development does not just enhance children’s emotional wellbeing, but also their ability to learn, work with others, and develop foundational skills for formal learning and social interaction in school years and beyond.”

In the past three years, UNICEF and British Embassy Skopje have been working on introducing a comprehensive programme on social and emotional development in all public preschools throughout the country. The programme addresses not just the wellbeing and development of children at preschools, but also their teachers.

Teachers’ experience shows that applying techniques and practices to self-regulate, manage stress, and other wellbeing strategies have helped teachers model the competencies they are trying to shape in the classroom. Also, their experience clearly shows that play and storytelling help children express their feelings, get along better, show empathy for others in the group, care more about the environment and feel happier.

Building on these positive results the UNICEF and Svetot na Bibi initiative aims to support more parents and children, including those who do not attend pre-school, through fun educational materials that will engage children and families at home. The materials aim to encourage parents to engage and interact with children as they watch the new animated stories with the popular characters Bibi and Bobi, also to talk with children about their emotions, do joint relaxation activities and learn age-appropriate ways of coping with different situations.

“Svetot na Bibi” has developed eight animated stories exploring different aspects of children’s social and emotional development which will be broadcast at the Macedonian National Television starting December 2021 and a digital “Book of emotions” in Macedonian and Albanian language. The first episode “Gratitude journal” will be available today on Youtube in Macedonian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsXov45ZZdE and in Albanian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_3UsbkON6w