The project, which collaborates with experts from various fields, is based on three pillars – preschool education, quality sexual education, and verified information about pregnancy and child care for parents.
Preschool education influences a child's IQ, strengthens their independence, and fosters healthy self-esteem.
Educators repeatedly point out the growing number of children who enter the first grade unprepared. These children then have to catch up on basic skills, which creates pressure not only on them but also on teachers and the atmosphere in the classrooms. The result is often a less stimulating environment for everyone, which also affects gifted children who do not receive enough attention. Teaching is adapted to those who need to intensely catch up on neglected preschool periods.
“If a child starts school without the necessary habits, skills, and movement basics, school can become a source of stress instead of natural development. Solutions exist and don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming for parents,” says Jana Martincová. The doctor sees the solution in quality preschool preparation.
The period up to six years is crucial for a child's development, their IQ, and the establishment of proper life habits. Therefore, one of the key pillars of the project is the publication Preschool Weekly, a comprehensive and developmentally structured preschool preparation. According to available data, it is the only preparation of its kind that has demonstrated a positive impact on a child's readiness for school and the development of their abilities, including its influence on IQ.
More than 30,000 children have already gone through this preparation. Results are confirmed, for example, by the practice of kindergartens. The Preschool Weekly is designed so that it can be used not only by educators but also by parents at home.
“Children who go through this preparation enter school significantly better prepared – not only academically but also psychologically and physically. Systematic and playful work helps them master not only the skills needed for school but also strengthens their confidence, independence, and healthy self-esteem,” states Martincová.
Movement is part of preschool preparation – the right habit built from early childhood is a prevention against obesity and depression.
Another problem is increasingly showing – the deteriorating physical fitness and agility of children, lack of natural movement, and rising childhood obesity.
Insufficiently developed gross and fine motor skills in younger children subsequently reflect not only in physical condition but also in school skills, such as graphomotor skills or the ability to concentrate. Therefore, preschool preparation does not focus only on mental skills but systematically works with the physical development of the child. The independent collection Movement Exercises develops agility, coordination, balance, and overall physical fitness.
The mental health of adolescents is related to quality sexual education.
The second pillar of the project focuses on quality and balanced sexual education, which according to experts significantly influences the mental health of adolescents.
“Sexual education is not just about sex and biology. It fundamentally relates to self-esteem, building quality relationships, self-worth, and how young people perceive their bodies. If conducted sensitively, professionally, and balanced, it can be a tremendous support for children and adolescents,” explains Martincová.
Many young people lack clear and professionally accurate information about their own bodies, relationships, and healthy lifestyles. They can find it in the books by Dr. Martincová, which also cover topics related to body perception, self-care, and building healthy self-esteem.
A book intended for the youngest children was created from a real conversation Martincová had with her then five-year-old son. The book shows how to respond naturally and respectfully to the questions of small children.
Materials for older children and adolescents are based on real questions from young people that have long been coming to the consultation of the Babyonline.cz portal. Experience shows that adolescents often ask basic questions about their own bodies, relationships, or sexuality.
Parents also need quality information about pregnancy and child care, and a consultation is available to them.
The third pillar of the project focuses on parents. Every parent wants the best for their child. However, in today's internet age, it is increasingly difficult to navigate the flood of unverified advice and conflicting opinions.
Misinformation about pregnancy, childbirth, or child health can have serious consequences – from unnecessary fear to health risks. Therefore, the project offers free professionally guaranteed information from doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other professionals from practice.
Let’s give quality education the green light.
“Let’s give quality preschool and sexual education the green light. It’s about the future of children – and thus about the future of the Czech Republic,” calls Martincová.
The project Educate Czechia is primarily looking for media partners who will help spread individual parts of the project among parents and schools. At the same time, it seeks to gain state protection and promote quality preschool preparation and balanced sexual education in educational institutions.
The project is also looking for sponsors and partners from the business sector, for whom supporting education and the healthy development of children can be a significant social opportunity.
