Six children. Three months of play, learning, and discovery.

This week, our Save Ukraine Early Intervention center celebrated the graduation of the “Smarties” group — a program that helps the youngest children strengthen communication, emotional regulation, and confidence through play.

For many families, this was more than a milestone — it was a transformation.

👣 A girl with developmental delays who once resisted physical activity now joined her peers, moving independently and smiling with pride.

💬 A boy with sensory sensitivities, who at first avoided sand and paint, now explores them freely — curious and engaged.

🤝 Twin brothers who once cried and clung to their mother now run into the classroom on their own, eager to take part.

These are not just success stories — they are evidence of what becomes possible when therapy is built on trust, inclusion, and consistent professional care.

Group-based sessions offer something individual therapy cannot replicate: social interaction, empathy, cooperation, and shared joy. Parents, too, find a community of understanding and support, seeing progress unfold not only in their children — but in themselves.

The “Smarties” program shows that early intervention is not about speeding up development. It’s about creating conditions where every child can grow at their own pace — safely, joyfully, and with dignity.

📍 We thank the Government of the Netherlands (represented by the Ambassador of the Netherlands) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for supporting the creation of a space where children can develop and parents receive the support they need.