Supporting the Wellbeing of Children from Ukraine: Promoting Resilience and Recovery in Early Learning and Care

Abstract

The outbreak of war in Ukraine has resulted in the mass movement of people from Ukraine to neighbouring countries. Children moving to Ireland from Ukraine will have had a range of different experiences in recent times, and these experiences may have threatened their view of the world as a safe and predictable place. All of the children arriving into Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings in Ireland will have experienced significant disruption to their lives. They, along with their caregivers, have been forced to leave their homes, communities, extended families and friends, and all that they know. They are facing many changes and new challenges, and are having to adjust to a new country, a new language, and unfamiliar living arrangements. Although children coming from Ukraine will have had different experiences before and during their journey to Ireland, all will have experienced separation and loss. Some will have been in very frightening situations and experienced the loss of loved ones while others may have had early adverse experiences prior to the outbreak of this war.