Strengthening soft skills in early childhood practice
Visit a Slovenian kindergarten virtually
ISSA’s contribution to the Children and Climate Initiative
Events
ECOS Fireside Chat | What does it take to truly support young children in crisis
This Wednesday, join us for the first ECOS (Early Childhood One System) Fireside Chat, part of the ECOS Thought Leadership series, with Professor Mark Tomlinson and Gabriella Brent from ISSA Member, Amna Refugee Healing Network.
Children’s lives are shaped by the people and systems around them, not by isolated interventions. Together, they will explore why supporting children requires moving beyond standalone programmes and toward ecosystems of care rooted in relationships, communities, and systems.
Strengthening Soft Skills in Practice: What Works, What’s Missing, What’s Next
Soft skills shape how early childhood professionals connect, collaborate, reflect, and respond in everyday practice. Yet they remain some of the hardest competencies to intentionally strengthen across systems and professional learning environments.
This ECOS Thought Leadership event will explore practical approaches such as reflective practice, peer exchange, and communities of practice, withhonest reflections on what works, what challenges remain, and what is needed for soft skills development to become more embedded across the early childhood workforce.
🗓 3 June 2026 | 14:00–15:30 CEST 🗣️ Live translation captions available
Working with Families and Teams to Foster Inclusion: Virtual Study Visit
Step inside a Slovenian kindergarten and discover how inclusion is built in everyday practice. Offered by ISSA Member Educational Research Institute (ERI), this interactive virtual study visit takes participants to Kindergarten Pobrežje Maribor for an inside look at how educators, counsellors, management teams, and parents work together to support children with special needs, welcome immigrant families, and create a strong sense of belonging. Participants will leave with fresh ideas and practical inspiration for their own work.
Places are limited, enroll now.
🗓 4 June 2026 | 13:00–15:00 CEST 💻 Virtual Study Visit
“Climate change is shaping the world children are growing up in — and it’s our responsibility to ensure their best interests guide both the solutions we develop and how we support children and families to navigate these changes.”
As a partner in the Children and Climate Initiative, ISSA is helping connect regional early childhood networks with global advocacy and research efforts, while supporting members to both contribute to and learn from this growing field of work.
Watch the video to hear more about ISSA’s contribution to the initiative and why this work matters for young children and their futures.
Join ISSA to connect with a global network, enhance your organization’s visibility, and access exclusive benefits like peer learning, funding opportunities, and discounted events.
