Innovative Play Suitcase and Game-Creating Teacher Educational Support Project "Psychomotricity Education"

In line with the Istanbul Development Agency's 2021 Financial Support Program, the "Innovative Play Suitcase and Game-Creating Teacher Educational Support Project 'Psychomotricity Education'" (reference number TR10/21/ÇEG/0109) was implemented during the 2022-2023 academic year with support from ISTKA's "Children and Youth Financial Support Program." The project was carried out under the coordination of Üsküdar District National Education Directorate, in cooperation with Üsküdar District Governorship and Maltepe University Center for Implementation and Research for Street-Living and Working Children (SOYAÇ).

Within the scope of the project, a total of 125 teachers working in Üsküdar district will receive "Psychomotricity Education" - 25 at pre-school level, 50 at primary school level, and 50 at middle school level. Collaboration will be established with many departments of Maltepe University, particularly the Psychology, Child Development, and Philosophy departments. As part of the project, training on the 'Psychomotricity Therapeutic Approach' was provided by body psychotherapist Prof. Dr. Amara Eckert and Research Assistant Nicole Borsutzky (Marburg Philipps University), who teach in the International Body Psychotherapy Certified Clinical Psychology Master's Program conducted in cooperation with SOYAÇ.

Psychomotricity works with individuals' self-expression within a psycho-social environment through mind-body integration. Although psychomotricity was developed in France, it was first established in Germany in the 1950s as an effective educational-clinical treatment method (psychomotor exercise treatment). When the movement-focused therapeutic work carried out by its founder E. J. Kiphard with traumatized children proved highly successful, the method spread rapidly. Psychomotricity involves developing motor and social skills as the foundation of a person's ability to move and communicate. It encompasses all age groups and areas of action, thus forming the basis for people's access to their bodies.

Within the project, psychologists continuing in the International Body Psychotherapy Certified Clinical Psychology Master's Program served as facilitators for the teacher workshops.

As part of the Game-Creating Teacher Educational Support Project with a Suitcase of Games, the first stage of training was held at Üsküdar Validebağ Fairy Tale School between June 20-25, led by Prof. Dr. Amara Eckert and Research Assistant Nicole Borsutzky (Marburg Philipps University). The second stage was conducted at Üsküdar Hasan Tan Primary School between September 5-9, 2022, led by Maltepe University Child Development Department instructors Diğdem Enerem, Gülşah Aydın Yeşilyurt, and Özlem İlker.