YOUNG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS MEET LITTLE HEARTS: A MEANINGFUL EVENT BY CHILD DEVELOPMENT STUDENTS

 

The "Meeting Little Hearts 2" event, organized by the Young Healthcare Professionals Community operating within Süleyman Demirel University, brought together children and healthcare volunteers. Held at the Hafız İbrahim Demiralay Amphitheater of the School of Health Sciences, the event was notable for the active participation of Child Development Program students. Students from Selçuklu Kindergarten were hosted, and the young participants engaged in fun and educational activities throughout the day. Through play-based learning activities, basic health information, and applications supporting social skills, the children had a pleasant time while also gaining new knowledge. Throughout the program, Child Development Program students had the opportunity to apply their education in the field. As future healthcare professionals and child development specialists, the students interacted directly with children, contributing to their developmental processes. The event not only provided students with professional experience but also significantly contributed to the development of their sense of social responsibility. Lecturer Dr. Yasemin Tarcan, who was involved in the coordination of the program, emphasized the importance of the event, saying, "Having our students studying in the field of child development actively participate in the field increases their professional competence while also creating a productive learning environment for children."

Lecturer Dr. Ensar Güney, who contributed to the event, stated that the organization provided multifaceted benefits, saying, “Such activities allow our students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice while also enabling them to produce benefits for society.” Community President İsmail Kumpur also commented on the event, saying, “Coming together with these little hearts was an unforgettable experience for both us and the children; we will continue to strengthen this bond.” The management of Selçuklu Kindergarten was thanked for their contributions to the event, and it was hoped that the cooperation would continue in the future. The program, which took place with high participation, left smiles on the children's faces and remained in the memories of the participants as a meaningful and productive day.