This year's kindergarten teachers' workshop for the Kampong Cham Prefecture focuses on children with autism and teaching strategies.
#KampongChamProvince
The Kindergarten Teachers' Federation Committee of the Apostolic Prefecture of Kampong Cham organized a workshop for a small group of kindergarten teachers both in person and via Zoom. Held under the theme "Disseminating the Implementation of the Education Program for Children with Autism and Teaching Strategies," the two-day event took place from September 21–22, 2021, at the Kampong Cham City Parish, located in Village 1, Sangkat Veal Vong, Kampong Cham City. The workshop was presided over by Bishop Bruno Cosme, Apostolic Prefect of Kampong Cham.
Sister Clara Pen Hill, the coordinator of the workshop, stated, "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot gather in large numbers, so only a small group of 6 teachers are attending in person, while others are participating with us via Zoom."
The Sister continued, "The main reason we focused heavily on children with autism and teaching strategies is that the Church aims to understand the conditions and various behaviors of autistic children. This makes it easier to identify children with this condition and learn how to help them, especially children in rural areas who often do not receive adequate care from their parents."
Furthermore, Sister Pen Hill added, "Being a kindergarten teacher requires a clear understanding of early childhood psychology and appropriate pedagogical methods tailored to the children's level. Therefore, the Catholic Church of the Kampong Cham Prefecture is dedicated to strengthening the early childhood education system at the grassroots level across our communities. We focus on ensuring our teachers possess solid pedagogical skills—especially in alignment with the state curriculum—by hosting various workshops with direct instruction from trainers from the provincial Department of Education, as well as highly experienced and specialized teachers from the capital and other provinces."
This kindergarten teachers' workshop featured sharing sessions from Mrs. Phouk Many, head of the Special Education School for Development (for children with autism) at the Infant Jesus Catholic Church in Boeng Tompun, Phnom Penh, along with a Sister from the Don Bosco Teuk Thla Kindergarten in Phnom Penh and their colleagues. They provided explanations and guidance on teaching techniques, annual lesson planning, practical teaching applications, and more.
Currently, the Catholic Church of the Kampong Cham Prefecture operates 11 kindergartens locations, which include:
Andong Chroh, Kdol Leu, Thma Pech, Chamlak, Trapeang Kandaol, Neak Loeung, Phum Thmey, Koh Roka, Ka Andaeuk, Prey Veng, Bousra, and Dak Dam Kindergarten in Mondulkiri Province.
By: Roeun Sreymach
