Kherson State University

The fourth day of on-site learning at the Faculty of Pedagogy continued with the second day of the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation titled "Current Issues in Preschool, Primary, and Special Education in Times of Societal Challenges."

This day was entirely dedicated to the practical block — topics directly related to working with preschool and early primary school children.

The event began with a welcoming speech by the Dean of the Faculty, Liubov Petukhova, who emphasized the importance of combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills.

The first of four scheduled workshops was conducted by Olena Anisimova, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences and Associate Professor. The focus of her session was the methodology of working with Froebel’s Gifts — didactic materials developed by the German educator Friedrich Froebel. These tools remain essential today for developing children’s sensory perception, logical thinking, and creativity.

During the session, participants learned the significance of each of the gifts — spheres, cubes, cylinders, and blocks — and had the opportunity to interact with them fully, exploring their use in educational settings. Through games and associations, we created symbolic representations: the sphere as a celebration, the cube as a season, the cylinder as a feature. This led to meaningful thematic pairs:
Winter — frost — Christmas
Spring — grass — Easter
Summer — berries — Trinity
Autumn — leaves — Knowledge Day

The workshop became a vivid example of how simple objects can not only hold a child's attention but also help develop their thinking, speech, and imagination.

More sessions lie ahead — two more workshops and the conclusion of the conference. Stay tuned!