The Health-Promoting Potential of Education: The Experience of Sumy Region During Wartime
As part of the In-Person Learning Week, a guest lecture was held at the Kherson State University office by Svitlana Mykolaivna Kondratiuk, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor and Director of the Educational and Research Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology at A. S. Makarenko Sumy State Pedagogical University.
The lecture was entitled “The Health-Promoting Potential of the Educational Process Under Martial Law: The Experience of Sumy Region”.
Ms Kondratiuk shared the experience of educators working in a frontline region and spoke about the challenges faced by children and teachers, including psychological stress, difficulties adapting to learning, and the need to support both physical and mental health. She also emphasised the importance of creating a safe, inclusive and psychologically comfortable educational environment.
The practical part of the lecture attracted particular interest. Future teachers were introduced to exercises that can be incorporated into their professional practice: “Motor Code” to encourage physical activity, “The Weather of My Mood” and “Support Remote Control” to promote emotional self-regulation, as well as activities aimed at developing social interaction and team support. Participants had the opportunity not only to learn about these methods but also to see how they can be applied in practice.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange experience, discuss the current needs of children in frontline regions and gain practical tools for future teaching practice.
We are grateful to Svitlana Mykolaivna for the insightful lecture, openness to dialogue and valuable practical insights!