Inclusive Education Centre Implements the STOP 4–7 Programme

From October 2020 to March 2021, the Inclusive Education Centre of the Liepāja City Education Department implemented the STOP 4–7 programme for preschool children in order to promote their development and growth and prevent risks that hinder successful self-realisation and integration into society.

STOP 4–7 is a state-funded early intervention programme for children with behavioural problems—children who are angry, easily irritated, lose their self-control, take offence quickly, behave defiantly, ignore rules, or are aggressive. Over the course of three years, the programme aims to reduce children’s problematic behaviour by teaching parents to apply positive parenting principles.

To implement the programme, specialists (psychologists and teachers) were selected, administrative support was provided, and the group was organised. The programme was implemented under COVID-19 restrictions, which meant that two sessions for children and one session for parents were held in person. The remaining sessions for children were held individually in person and remotely online, while sessions for parents and teachers were held remotely. Eight children took part in the first stage of the programme.

When evaluating the results, we conclude that the STOP 4–7 programme is a significant investment in the future of parents, children, and teachers, providing valuable knowledge about parenting, respecting boundaries, and building positive relationships between peers and children. Thanks to the programme’s carefully developed tasks, the children were happy to participate and seek solutions to various situations, which helped them learn to control their behaviour and emotions while working in a group. The children learned patience, the ability to listen and share, and to accept rules.

During the COVID-19 restrictions, the programme specialists successfully reoriented themselves and adapted the materials for the needs of remote and individual learning. It is important to ensure that parents are ready to cooperate and participate in the programme’s activities. The programme is well regarded: after completing it, children’s aggressive behaviour decreases, and following the parent training, parenting principles change, with positive parenting becoming more prevalent. A second group is already being formed, with 12 children to take part.

As the parents acknowledge:

“The STOP 4–7 project taught me to understand my child better and communicate better with them, to look at myself and my child from a different perspective, and also to understand my child’s emotional language.”

“I learned to control myself and to rejoice together with my child over everything, including things that seemed trivial and insignificant to me. After the project, my daughter became more open and affectionate, and she trusts me more. Overall, the project has given both of us a great deal of positivity and changed us both for the better. I would definitely recommend it to other parents as well: if you need help and cannot manage on your own, seek help through this project—it will be worthwhile.”

“The idea and purpose of the programme is to help not only the child overcome difficulties, but also to provide significant support to parents.”

“At this age, children are their parents’ reflection. The project does not focus solely on the child; rather, parents are involved in very close collaboration. The specialists help find an approach to the child in particular situations. As parents, we must learn to listen not only to the specialists, but also to our own child.”

Author:

Renāte Meļķe

Liepāja City Education Department

Assistant to the Head for Communications

Telephone: 26 164 739

E-mail: renate.melke@liepaja.edu.lv