Ola and Borys go to school – the continuation of a therapeutic fairy tale
„Ola and Borys go to school” – the continuation of the therapeutic fairy tale for Ukrainian and Polish children is here! How will I cope in a school in a foreign country? How will I get along with teachers and colleagues? How will it be in our group when new pupils will come?
Just before the start of the new school year, researchers from Wrocław have published a therapeutic storybook, intended to help both Ukrainian and Polish pupils adapt to new challenges of school life.
Prof. Justyna Ziółkowska from SWPS University and prof. Dariusz Galasiński from the University of Wrocław once again led a team, which prepared the continuation of the therapeutic storybook „ Ola, Borys, and new friends”. Therapeutic storybooks are professional tools used to support the youngest children in dealing with difficult situations. This time, the main characters – Ukrainian children who came to Poland after Russia invaded Ukraine – are attending a Polish school.
Prof. Dariusz Galasiński explains: „Our first therapeutic story was aimed at children from Ukraine. We wanted to show them that they were not alone and that they were safe in Poland. In the second story, we aim at both Polish and Ukrainian children. We want to show Polish children how hard is it to start in a school where everyone speaks a foreign language. Ukrainian children – that it can be hard for Polish children too. The story is also created for parents. We want them to read it to their children and discuss it with them.”
The creation of the therapeutic storybook was possible thanks to the financial and organizational help and support of many institutions, especially Heweliusz Institute, Rotary International, and the City of Wrocław.
– The storybook is free. It cannot be sold, only given to someone. If there are institutions interested in printing more copies, we encourage them to contact us – concludes prof. Galasiński.
Translated by Zuzanna Kazimierowicz (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.
