 The Association of Parents Step by Step was founded
in Zagreb in September 1997. The mission of PA
Step by Step is to support the development of democratic
relations in the society by protecting, respecting
and advocating for the rights and interests of
children and families. PA Step by Step has also
founded the Open Academy Step by Step to continue
this mission.
The PA Step by Step activities are aimed at supporting
and implementing projects and programs that encourage
a more active participation of parents in the educational
process and institutions; communication between
children and adults (parents and teachers); multiculturalism;
upbringing for peace; ecology; disease and drug
prevention; and other issues relating to imporiving
the quality of living of children and families.
PA Step by Step increases public awareness and
advocates for the rights and interests of children,
as well as providing counseling to parents on their
rights and interests.
The basic activity of the Open Academy Step by
Step is retraining and professional improvement
of adults - teachers, other professionals, and
parents - for applying programs focused on children
in nurseries, kindergartens and elementary schools.
It is the first retraining center of this type
in Croatia. Particular models have been based on
humanistic-developmentally approach, educational
practice and transmission of new knowledge and
practical experiences among teachers and educators
as the model "from practice for practice - to the
practice." The mentors of training workshops are
educators and teachers who apply the Step by Step
Model in their practice. Such professionals enhance
the training experience by speaking about their
own every-day practice. Workshops are also continuously
upgraded.
The Parent's Association supplements it's mission
to promote child-centered education methods through
publishing, which is a self-sustainable activity.
It is based on translation of the original Step
by Step methodologies, as well original books written
by Croatian authors. In addition, two magazines
- "Child, Kindergarten, Family" and "Child, School,
Family", give the possibility for an exchange of
pratice and expericence to teachers and educators
in the approach of Step by Step Model.
The Step by Step program has grown since it's
initial implentation in Croatia in 1994. From the
beginning of 2000, the Ministry of Education has
acknowledged the Step by Step program as an official
alternative method of the official curiculum known
as the model "Step by Step". Currently, there are
265 primary and 258 preschool Step by Step classrooms,
with over 12,000 children. More than 1,400 teachers
have been trained, and 400 new teachers continue
to be reached each year by 34 faculty members offering
child-centered material in courses, and 11 training
centers conduct re-training of current teachers.
PA Step by Step has over 500 members.
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