GREECE
In this context, an innovative educational
project entitled “Our Lands and their Animals”
was designed based on the children’s proposals
and in close cooperation with the children, the
staff and the local community. The aim of this
project was to prepare unaccompanied and
separated children of school age for enrolment
in school through learning, while also promot-
ing integration. Using animals as an inspiration,
children had the opportunity to share personal
stories and experiences in Greek or English
and familiarise themselves with their new
environment. Activities included theatrical
performances, outdoor lessons, meetings with
people from the neighbourhood, field trips to
museums and use of audiovisual material. As a
result, the children’s participation in activities
increased, and the community became more
engaged in the project.
For young children, a pedagogical project called
“Baby Room” was implemented with the sup-
port of a professional early childhood educator
and volunteers in a dedicated space inside the
shelter. The pedagogical activities targeted
babies and children aged 0 to six years old and
were designed to support the emotional and
social development of children. Children with
disabilities were also included in the groups.
The main goal of the “baby room” was to offer a
secure, stable and pleasant environment for all
babies and children arriving at the shelter.
In addition, this service gave mothers some free
time either to rest or to take care of administra-
tive issues such as appointments with asylum,
migration or other services.
Reception conditions for children in migration include
not only safe and appropriate accommodation, but also
any necessary support services to secure the child’s best
interests and wellbeing, … as well as access to education,
healthcare, psychosocial support, leisure and integra-
tion-related measures.
Given that recently arrived children may not yet have
been able to acquire sufficient skills and competences
to fully and actively integrate in society, in particular
for transition into further study or the labour market,
children in this transitional phase should be provided
with guidance, support and opportunities for continuing
education and training.
The Protection of Children in Migration:
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the
Council (COM(2017)211 final)
Moreover, activities to support young mothers
experiencing psychosocial pressure and stress
were developed to help them cope with mother-
hood and to strengthen their parental skills with
the aim of preventing child neglect and abuse.
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