PEEC: Peace Education in Early Childhood to Prevent Bullying

Topic(s) addressed

This project addressed a wide range of issues, including education, values, self-confidence, wellbeing, school, self-esteem, peace, learning, emotions, social development, mindfulness and teachers.

Target group(s)

Educators and pedagogical coordinators involved in working with preschool children.

Methodologies

This project used a transnational curriculum which was complemented by a review of the current programmes and practices related to peace education.

The project considered a professional training course for ECEC teachers and educators which focused on the opportunities for peace education in early childhood. 

The project looked at a toolkit for ECEC practitioners including didactic materials, methods and activities which can be used in peace education to prevent violence in pre-school settings. 

Innovation environment

As Maria Montessori argues: “Having a peace curriculum in our classrooms is a sure way to prepare our children to be peace keepers.”

This project encompassed a wide range of research activities; it looked at the situation of bullying and wellbeing in schools, developed classroom activities to do with children and created a training course for teachers. This research was completed in collaboration with teachers and experts in the field.

Teachers’ role

As Maria Montessori stated: “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.”

Teachers are agents of change, and this project intends to highlight their contribution to society. Teachers not only impart knowledge, but also lay the foundations for children's wellbeing. This role necessitates that they act as genuine role models. For this reason, self-care tips for teachers were included in the materials.  

Impact and output

This study found that curricula are more focused on the cognitive aspects of education than on the social-emotional development of the child. 

The work packages address this identified gap and encompass curriculum development, classroom materials and teacher training.

Through empowering early childhood educators to become changemakers for peace, this project aims to establish a foundation for peace in the formative years of early childhood that will extend into adulthood.   

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