How to teach a preschoolers... to rest? Listen to them!

photo: Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation

Psychologists and educators have been sounding the alarm louder each year. Children`s ears and eyes are overwhelmed daily by a wave of stimuli. Flashing screens, loud toys, constant noise and rush. The body reacts with stress, and overstimulation brings outbursts of anger or unexplained fatigue.

"Preschool-aged children cannot cope on their own with such sensory overload. The effects of constant phones, TV, loud ads, noisy toys in preschools are obvious," explains Katarzyna Świerczek, director of Leonardo Preschool in Wrocław. "The result is problems with concentration and patience, often with sleep, and definitely with controlling and understanding emotions. Yes, this is the world today. But that doesn’t mean we should accept it."

Can you work on the emotions of 170 children with only 16.7 m²? That’s the size of two average balconies. Turns out it`s just enough to fit... peace and quiet. Mud kitchens, flower boxes, sensory plants to smell, pick and eat. All laid over soft grass. There’s even space for lounge chairs.

A Project Painted with Dreams

Next to the playground at the public Leonardo Preschool in Wrocław, a unique outdoor sensory integration room has been created. A place for children to relax, rest and unwind when they need a break.


"Before starting the project, we asked those who would use the space daily. The children. The preschoolers enthusiastically took part in consultations, sharing ideas and dreams in the best way they could," says Kaja Reszke, Director of Communication and Business Cooperation at the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation. "During art classes, they created visualizations of their dream space. They designed the equipment, picked the colors, and even came up with a name: Chillotko. We, the adults from the preschool, the foundation, and CFE Polska, only helped make those dreams come true."

Chillotko will be an important building block in supporting children’s emotional balance and development. It was designed with the help of experts in child psychology and education, to support:

• emotional development, by calming overwhelming emotions, connecting with nature, and reducing stimuli;
• social development, because resting together means following rules, showing respect and sometimes learning compromise;
• physical development, supported by the features of the space. A mud kitchen – great for sensory play, sensory plants – a mini-garden with mint, basil or thyme that smells good and is safe to eat.

"These calming activities are incredibly important for children. Let’s be honest: today’s world requires us to teach them how to rest," stresses director Katarzyna Świerczek. "Chillotko, our outdoor quiet zone, gives us new opportunities. Kids can come here anytime they need to take a break from the playground. They stay under the supervision of a teacher, but still enjoy fresh air. That’s also a vital part."

CSR is More than a Trendy Acronym

Behind the scenes of this project lies teamwork and adult commitment. Leonardo Preschool offered the space and the dream. The Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation contributed its educational expertise. And general contractor CFE Polska and business partners made it happen with the help of enthusiastic volunteers.

"The well-being of children is at the heart of the mission of the Ogólnopolski Operator Oświaty Foundation. Our goal is to create conditions that support their educational, emotional, and social growth. We want the youngest to feel heard and to shape the space they grow up in," emphasizes Kaja Reszke from the OOO Foundation. "Leonardo Preschool in Wrocław shows how social projects should be done. With children and the community. It’s a model we want to promote."

"At CFE Polska, our employees – engaged people full of initiative and passion – are often the initiators of our social projects. Their ideas and determination, with company support, drive efforts like this one," explains Karolina Wideł, Marketing and Communication Manager at CFE Polska. "Helping children is more than charity to us. It`s part of our long-term mission. We believe we are building for future generations. Not just through modern and safe buildings, but also by creating space and opportunities for young people. When we can share our skills and experience, we always do it with full commitment."


This project required attention and effort from adults. They had to listen to the children’s drawings, trust their plans and the needs they expressed with crayons, even if hard to put into words. In return, it brought a lesson: even small-scale projects can have big impact.

And something else. Something incredibly important in a child’s development – a sense of agency. Simple drawings that became a real place offer another powerful lesson. The realization that their voices matter, that their needs are important and worth sharing out loud, because someone is listening. Educators agree – building this kind of awareness in children influences their entire lives.

"Social actions are meaningful both to local communities and our employees, who want to be part of a responsible, engaged organization. That’s why CSR, the idea of socially involved business, builds bridges between companies and their environment: customers, partners, institutions and communities," says Karolina Wideł from CFE Polska. "Today’s workforce often chooses employers based not just on job offers, but also on values the company stands for. So our work goes beyond constructing buildings. We respond to real needs and show that `Building for good` is more than a slogan. It’s how we see our role."

"Chillotko in Wrocław proves that corporate social responsibility, when done with a trusted community partner, can lead to lasting and genuine outcomes," adds Kaja Reszke. "When a company’s engagement meets the experience of an organization that works with children every day, something truly valuable is created. I believe this kind of partnership – built on trust, shared values and real actions – makes sense. Because it leaves a mark not only on the space, but also in relationships, emotions and experiences that stay with the children and the community for years to come."

Along with learning to listen to their needs, manage emotions, and respect others, the children of Leonardo will take this knowledge – that it’s worth helping others – with them. First to school, then into adult life.