Peppy Pals in Ukraine

Learning Through Play for a Stronger Emotional Future

The “Peppy Pals – Veseli Druzi” program is not just about teaching emotions. It is a holistic approach to the social and emotional development of children that includes play, storytelling, discussion, and practical activities. Implemented at the initiative of The LEGO Foundation together with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, it is part of the national strategy to support children’s well-being in the face of modern challenges, including martial law.

The program helps children better understand their own feelings, recognize the emotions of others, resolve conflicts peacefully, and build friendships. All of this is presented in engaging and accessible formats: stories about five animal friends — each with their own personality — who find themselves in situations familiar to children.

What Learning Looks Like

The main feature of “Veseli Druzi” (Peppy Pals) is the integration of social and emotional development into the daily life of preschool. Children don’t just watch cartoons or read stories — they learn to think, feel, ask questions, and respond together with the characters.

Materials Provided to Institutions

• Illustrated books with stories about the characters: Reggie, Sammy, Gabby, Izzy, and Kelly
• Sets of plush character toys
• 27 emotion and activity cards
• Coloring books, diplomas, stickers
• Methodological guidelines for educators
• Questions for each story to facilitate group discussions
• Peppy Pals mobile app (global version)

These materials were created in Sweden and adapted for the Ukrainian context. They do not require translation in formal documents, as they are based on visual, symbolic, and narrative content accessible to children regardless of language proficiency.

Participation of the "Magic Wings" Foundation

The "Magic Wings" Charitable Foundation has taken on the important mission of ensuring the distribution of the “Peppy Pals” program to more than 300 preschool institutions across Ukraine. This included both urban and rural communities, particularly those facing difficult humanitarian conditions.

The “Peppy Pals – Veseli Druzi” program stands out among other approaches to preschool education due to its unique structure that combines emotional learning and play. Each component of the program is designed to help children develop key social and emotional skills: empathy, the ability to recognize and name emotions, constructive responses to challenges, and building relationships. Learning takes place naturally, through familiar characters — the animal friends — and is reinforced in daily interactions with teachers and peers.

"When a child knows how to express their feelings, they become happier. And when an educator has the tools to support this, they become more confident. We are glad to be part of the changes that begin with play."
— Andriy Shmandrovskyi, Head of the "Magic Wings" Charitable Foundation

In 2023, at the initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and The LEGO Foundation, the “Peppy Pals – Veseli Druzi” program was launched as part of a national educational project for preschool institutions. The "Magic Wings" Charitable Foundation joined this initiative during the active implementation stage, providing logistical, communication, and organizational support.

The implementation of the project included several key stages. First, the materials were prepared and adapted for the Ukrainian educational environment. After that, the "Magic Wings" Foundation organized the delivery of educational and play kits to more than 300 preschool institutions across Ukraine. At the same time, communication was carried out with heads and teachers of preschools to ensure the effective integration of the program into the educational process.

Special attention was given to communities affected by hostilities or located in remote regions. There, “Peppy Pals – Veseli Druzi” became not only a tool for developing emotional intelligence but also a source of psychological support for children who experienced stress or loss.

• Promotion of social-emotional learning in Ukraine
• Support for preschool institutions in times of instability
• Psycho-emotional support for children in communities affected by traumatic events
• Expansion of play-based learning as an educational tool
• Strengthening cooperation between state and charitable organizations
• Development of a model for further scaling of the program in education

The implementation of the “Peppy Pals – Veseli Druzi” program in Ukraine’s preschool institutions has shown significant results both in the educational and social spheres. Thanks to the coordinated cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, The LEGO Foundation, and the "Magic Wings" Charitable Foundation, the program was introduced in more than 300 kindergartens across the country, reaching thousands of children and hundreds of educators.

In each participating institution, children had the opportunity to learn through play — discovering their own emotions, developing empathy, conflict-resolution skills, and positive interaction with peers. Educators note that the program has greatly improved the emotional climate in groups, reduced aggression among children, and made the educational process more open to dialogue and understanding.

The program has been especially valuable for communities affected by the war — in such conditions, “Peppy Pals” became a tool for psychological stabilization and a resource for helping children gently return to their normal learning routine.

Project Achievements:

• Implementation of the program in more than 300 preschool institutions
• Distribution of over 300 sets of educational materials
• Increased level of emotional literacy among children aged 3–9
• Formation of a culture of open discussion of feelings in children’s environments

Impact on Educators:

• Teachers gained access to effective tools for emotional learning
• Strengthened partnerships between educators and parents in raising children
• Introduced new approaches to nonviolent communication and child support

Impact on Communities:

• Strengthening educational initiatives in war-affected regions
• Sharing experience of innovative preschool education
• Increasing parents’ trust in educational institutions

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