News

This global effort connects local voices to global action, with the goal of ensuring that every child has access to quality early childhood development, care, and preschool education — vital for holistic child development and lifelong…

Last month, the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) gathered leaders from governments, UN agencies, international financing institutions, civil society, philanthropy, the private sector, and academia in New York. For the…

An Interview with ICDI on Reimagining Voice, Choice, and Democracy in the Early Years What does democracy look like for a toddler? That question sits at the heart of the new TOY for Participation Toolkit—a practical, thoughtful, and…

Today, we are excited to unveil the brand identity for the ECOS Institute — Early Childhood, One System. ECOS is about connection. It’s where people, knowledge, and practice come together to strengthen early childhood systems so every young…

This week a Training of Trainers course is being held in Zagreb, Croatia, as part of TOY4Participation, — a project funded by the European Commission and led by ICDI, focused on embedding meaningful child participation at the heart of early…

Early childhood is a critical window for fostering belonging, identity, and emotional well-being—especially for children facing exclusion or discrimination. The CHAVORE Initiative: Mental Well-being o

One of CHAVORE’s national implementing partners, Open Academy Step by Step in Croatia, is translating this mission into practice by equipping early childhood practitioners with the skills and confiden

The CHAVORE Initiative aims to ensure the mental and physical well-being of  every child, regardless of their background, from the very start. In communities where children face adversity, stigma, or exclusion, CHAVORE supports early childhood…

The CHAVORE Initiative: Mental Well-being of Young Roma Children, funded by the European Commission Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV, works across Europe to promote the mental health and well-being of young children,…

74% of fathers believe they share caregiving equally with their partners. Only 51% of mothers agree.  This discrepancy sits at the heart of the State of Southern European Fathers 2024 report, launched on June 4 during a webinar hosted by…

A Mother from Italy Shares Her Perspective from Inside the TOY for Participation Project When I first came across the term child participation, I felt a tangle of emotions: curiosity, confusion, even a little shame, alongside an…

Stepping Into a New Era for Early Childhood   Join a Locally Rooted, Regionally Connected and Globally Relevant Movement In September, ISSA will launch an early childhood institute — a vibrant destination where early…

Making Space for Children's Voices Doesn't Mean Giving Up Yours As the concept of child participation gains traction in education, health, and social work as well as among parents, so do the misunderstandings. For many adults, whether…

The foundations of democracy are not built in parliaments, but in classrooms, playgrounds, and family homes. In today’s increasingly polarized world, nurturing democratic values from the earliest years is essential.  During a recent ISSA…

A Preschool Teacher in Slovakia Reflects on What Child Participation Really means in Practice When I first came across the concept of child participation, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, and even felt slightly defensive in…

Understanding a rights-based, relational approach to listening to young children Even if you’ve never heard the term child participation, chances are, you’ve already practiced it. Whether you’re a parent giving your child choices about their…

We are excited to share updates from the Erasmus+ project “Soft Skills for High Quality Education”, led by ISSA Member Institute of Educational Sciences (ERI) in Slovenia. Running from November 2023 to July 2026, the project brings together ISSA…

When we speak about young children’s development, we often focus on learning, play, and stimulation. But at the heart of a child’s thriving lies something even more foundational: the well-being of their caregivers.  Warm, responsive…

Mental Health Awareness Month offers a timely reminder that mental health starts not in adolescence or adulthood—but from the earliest days of life. For young children, mental health is not simply the absence of illness. It’s the foundation for…

“Today, Mia and her mom are going on an adventure. They are visiting a place called Play Hub. Mia’s mom heard about it from a friend, and she is very excited. Mia is happy too: a new adventure and a new place.” In the heartwarming illustrated…

The International Step by Step Association (ISSA) is a vibrant international network that connects professionals and non-profit organizations working in the field of early childhood development. Established in the Netherlands in 1999, ISSA’s…

We’re thrilled to welcome Carpathian Foundation Slovakia as a new member of the ISSA Network. For over three decades, the organization has worked to build stronger, more inclusive communities — reaching nearly half a million people, including…

Roma paraprofessionals—working as assistants, mediators, and community liaisons—play a crucial role in supporting Roma children’s access to equitable early childhood education and care. Yet, they often face limited access to structured training…

In this new initiative implemented by ISSA Member Step by Step Moldova, 150 Early Education Institutions (EEIs) across the Republic of Moldova are being transformed into Resource Centers—safe, inclusive spaces where all children, including those…