Center for Educational Initiatives, Step by Step - Bosnia and Herzegowina

Program Image

Program

  • Type of Program: Comprehensive program for preschool/primary school children and families
  • Age Served: 0 to 14 years
  • Funding Sources: OSI New York, OSF BiH, Membership fees and other grants
  • Presenter: Gena - Sanja Handzar (Pedagogue - psychologist, Step by Step Coord.)
  • Address: Josipa Vanca_a 25
    33 000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegowina
  • Telephone: 387 33 667 673
  • Fax: 387 33 667 673
  • Email: [email protected]

Program Purpose

Our program represents an innovative approach to educational reform at all levels.

Program Description

The Center for Educational Initiatives, Step by Step (COI Step by Step) is a unique association of parents, teachers and other professionals from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, gathered with a view to organize, realize and support various educational activities and initiatives based on principles of a democratic civil society and recognizing the basic rights of all children and families. COI Step by Step creates conditions for the improvement of educational practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina by

  1. On – going professional training of teachers, methodologists, parents and other participants in educational process to enable them to apply the contemporary methods in educational practice.
  2. Forming model centers in preschool institutions and primary schools where educators and students are trained in the condition of practical application of the child centered approach in early childhood practice.

The Step by Step program, which promotes a child centered approach in early childhood practice, provides a thoughtful answer to radical changes occurring in social relationships, science and technology by setting the foundation for building the attitudes, knowledge and skills, which are considered as crucial for challenges expected in the 21st century. Step by Step acknowledges, recognizes and promotes the characteristics that will be required in the times of rapid changes.

These characteristics are the following:

  • critical thinking
  • problem-solving
  • creativity / imagination
  • self confidence and self-esteem
  • independent decision-making
  • tolerance and respect for diversity
  • adjustments and acceptance of changes
  • interest in community, country and environment

Most Unique Program Feature

Model training centers are representative preschool institutions where work with children and student-teachers training are running according to the principles of the Step by Step program.

Edited by Michael Kalinowski