Implementation, Teacher Training & Resources

The Alex Fund supports Fiecare Copil in Gradinita (‘Every Child in Preschool’), Romanian NGO Ovidiu Rom’s program currently operating in 19 impoverished communities. Fiecare Copil in Gradinita is helping 1290 poor children attend preschool and kindergarten so they will be able to enter primary school with the same skills as other better-off children start school with. Ovidiu Rom’s methodology encompasses close collaboration with local leaders, teacher training and educational resources, parent involvement and incentives, and educational enrichment such as summer programs.

Ovidiu Rom’s printed materials form a package for local teams to better understand and utilize Ovidiu Rom’s methodology. The colorful, inviting guides are derived from Ovidiu Rom’s ten-years’ experience teaching impoverished children and training other teachers to do so effectively, and for dealing with the practical issues that invariably arise.

Ovidiu Rom’s series of training sessions is accredited by the National Commission. Teachers are trained to use modern methods and strategies in working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, including “thematic teaching” and educational management techniques (groups, learning environments, time management, etc).

The methodology is designed to stimulate children’s curiosity and appetite for learning by covering basic skills in a creative, interactive way appropriate to children aged 3 to 7.

For local teams

Every Child in Preschool Implementation Guide, © Asociatia Ovidiu Rom, 2011

This 62 page manual for local implementation teams and public authorities provides a step-by-step process for getting all disadvantaged children in preschool.

The manual is reader friendly, designed for interactive use: with sections that can be personalized with information about the local community, and note-taking. Besides describing the program, the guide offers recommendations, advice and specific examples.

The guide starts with an overview of Ovidiu Rom’s methodology for getting every child in preschool covering how to create a well-balanced, professional team and delineate responsibilities. It also describes in detail project activities:

Development of local strategy for preschool education
Door-to-door recruitment of children at high risk for dropping out
Incentives in the form of food coupons tied to daily attendance
Teacher training and information-sharing workshops
Public awareness

The project management section covers reporting guidelines and ways to improve communication among all stakeholders and affected members of the community

The Appendix contains sample of a meeting agenda, meeting minutes, school mediator request, partnership agreement, narrative and financial report, attendance sheet, evaluation form, monthly planners, etc.

To download Every Child in Preschool Implementation Guide (in Romanian), go to >

For teachers

Over 500 teachers have attended Ovidiu Rom’s teacher training programs accredited by the National Commission in 2008. They learn ways to cope with the challenges brought by children of severely impoverished backgrounds as well as innovative teaching strategies to make school an exciting place for all their students.

Planeta Sotron (“A Hopscotch World”), © Asociatia Ovidiu Rom, 2011

This 114 page teaching guide helps summer school and Sotron Zero teachers organize learning activities such as:

“Circle time”
Simple science experiments
Movement games
Communication exercises, etc.

The guide emphasizes the importance of integrated teaching and interactive learning.

To download Planeta Sotron (“A Hopscotch World”) (in Romanian), go to >

For children

A workbook for children aged 3 to 7, based on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, combines:

Storybook
Writing exercises
Games and applications
Learning journal

Through the metaphor of a journey, the children explore the planet, from familiar surroundings to far away stars, accompanied by a character named Safir. In their search for the treasure, the children are encouraged to ask questions and find answers, to explore and discover, to be creative and cooperative.

To download The Treasure of the Eight Mirrored City (in Romanian), go to >