How to deal with deprivation in school? Support of approved projects of the Koning Boudewijnstichting about deprivation in kindergartens.

To optimize education for children in vulnerable situations, we challenge the teachers in their role as experts who can make the difference. The support of the projects in kindergartens consists in the development of a training module, based on the following five topics: (1) awareness of kindergarten teachers of the topic of deprivation, starting from the experience of all participants (children, parents and teachers), (2) learning to start from the process-oriented approach and the recognition of talents, rather than focusing on a negative perception based on the (developmental) problems, (3) encourage a more positive and growth-oriented communication with parents (in vulnerable situations) about the childs development, (4) create a more effective learning environment informed by this cooperation, (5) to embed all this in a supportive school policy (vision and practice) about how to deal with deprivation. The meetings with the teachers and school directors aim to let them reflect critically on their projects and enrich their work through the exchange of practice and tasks on the topics above. The lessons learned from these interactions are brought together in advise for policy makers and recommendations for the training of student teachers.

Keywords:Early years education, Deprivation, Expert teachers, Process-oriented approach, Empowerment., Communication with parents, Supportive school policy

Disciplines:Education curriculum, Education systems, General pedagogical and educational sciences, Specialist studies in education, Other pedagogical and educational sciences