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In-depth Research of Innovative Practices
Zero Project Analysis
presented by:
EASPD and
Essl Foundation
Edition #1, April 2016
Supporting families to focus
on abilities and not deficits
Country:
Bulgaria, Sofia and Plovdiv
Organisation:
For Our Children Foundation/Open Society Foundation
MANAGEMENT SUMMARY:
In the period 2012–2014 For Our Children foundation developed
and implemented an Early Childhood programme within its “I Deserve Childhood” project,
funded by the Open Society Foundation. The programme targets children aged 0–3 years,
the prematurely born, and children with disabilities, at risk of developing a disability, or with
developmental difficulties, as well as their families. At the end of 2015, the programme has
supported the development of 352 young children in Bulgaria.
• The approach does not to focus on deficits, but rather works with the strengths of the
children and with their abilities.
• The child is measured against herself/himself by monitoring pre- and post-programme
development and noting what has changed during the period of support and intervention
• Activities are planned and implemented based on an assessment of the child’s develop-
ment and progress of the individual child’s development.
Parents are not excluded
but partners
Empowering families to have a better
understanding of their child
Edition #1 | published April 2016