EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT: THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL SEMINAR HELD

The Department of Psychology and Special Education at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University held a theoretical and practical seminar on the topic: “ICF as an Assessment Tool in the Development of Programs” (International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health).

The main goal of the event was to enhance participants’ professional competencies in assessing early childhood development and applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) when designing individual habilitation programs.

During the seminar, a theoretical overview of the role of ICF as a methodological foundation in the habilitation of young children was presented. Key presentations were delivered by I.K. Matskevich and Zh.M. Akanova.

The practical part of the event covered several areas. In particular, fourth-year psychology student Arzu Azaeva analyzed strategies for describing the developmental characteristics of young children based on the ICF. Additionally, third-year Ergopedagogy student Alexander Khudyakov explored assessment features in the b176 domain (mental functions of complex sequential movements) in the format of a professional interview.

Another focus of the practical segment was working with case studies and developing elements of individual development programs. This work was facilitated by third-year students of the “Early Support” educational program, acting as facilitators.

Students from the psychology, ergopedagogy, and early support programs actively participated, not only as listeners but also by directly engaging in analytical and facilitation activities.

As a result of the seminar, participants deepened their understanding of the principles of applying ICF in professional practice, mastered practical tools for assessing and describing child development, and expanded their knowledge of designing individual habilitation programs using an interdisciplinary approach.