ESC: Inspire, Play and Learn: Volunteering in a Kindergarten in Šiauliai, Lithuania.

Siauliai Nursery-Kindergarten "Berzelis" is a pre-primary education school that implements educational programs such as preschool education -nursery-kindergarten, and adapted programs for children with special educational needs. This is a budgetary institution subordinated to Siauliai City Municipality. The organization implements 2 international programs "Friends of Zipis" and "Kimochi", with the help of which children's social and emotional competencies are developed. Since 2020, the organization is one of the five STEAM centres of Siauliai city and implements the program "STEAM Kindergarten". The STEAM laboratory established in the institution organizes STEAM activities for all kindergartens of Siauliai city. Siauliai Nursery-Kindergarten "Berzelis" has STEM Expert School Label (valid till February of 2025). Moreover, the kindergarten implements the model program of Siauliai city "Development of social competencies" - students from gymnasiums are welcome to perform voluntary activities. The Kindergarten has a positive previous experience in accepting volunteers from families of the kindergarten’s kids (parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents). We believe that involving volunteers in daily activities helps children to develop social skills better because volunteers usually use active and interesting methods (Ice-breaking and team building games; various simulations; art and music therapies; funny theater).