“Discussions on important topics” in Russian kindergartens will now be conducted in the form of so-called “kind games”, as told by the head of the Institute for the Study of Childhood, Family, and Upbringing, Alexander Tsvetkov. His words are reported by RBC.
According to Tsvetkov, “kind games” are a set of methodological materials that “will help to talk to children about important topics in a simple and interesting way”. They are divided into age groups from 3 to 5 years old and from 5 to 7 years old and include games, conversations, creative tasks, reading books, as well as coloring, mazes, mosaics, and so on.
Among the topics that the institute suggests are “My Favorite Kindergarten”, “Seasonal Safety: Autumn”, “Agriculture”, “Grandmothers and Grandfathers”, “Peoples of Russia”, “Corner of Russia – Native Land”. The materials also include recommendations for parents on what games to play with children at home, what cartoons to watch, what books to read, and what topics to discuss. For example, parents are advised to watch some episodes of the animated series “Luntik” with their children, as well as “Prostokvashino”, “Fixies”, and “Three Cats”.
Background: “Discussions on important topics” are extracurricular activities that began to be conducted in Russian schools from 2022, after the start of military actions in Ukraine. Authorities claim that the activities are aimed at “strengthening traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” and “educating patriotism” among teenagers. During the lessons, hostility of Western countries towards Russia, the annexation of Crimea, the value of a large full family, military actions in Ukraine, and so on are discussed.
In the fall of 2024, Putin supported the idea of conducting “discussions on important topics” in kindergartens, adding that basic values should be conveyed to children “carefully, linking the concepts of the Motherland, the country to the mother, the father, the grandmother, the grandfather, the brother, or the sister”. In 2025, the program was launched in kindergartens in 25 regions on a trial basis.
“Novaya Gazeta” described how preschoolers are taught on “Discussions on important topics” – and for what purpose.
