Creative Development Association - An Educational Therapeutic Program
Creative Development Association is an educational therapeutic program aimed at leading children at environmental and socio-economic risk towards excellence. Initially, the program targets children from one to six years old continuously and intensively, aspiring to lead them to excellence both in realizing their personal skills and academic excellence. In the second stage, the child receives guidance in primary school and subsequently in middle school.
Tamir Cohen, the program director, won the Ashlim Award in 2015 for entrepreneurship, innovation, and excellence in developing services for at-risk children and their families.
In 2021, the program was included among the heroes of the year by Mifal HaPais and Mako.
A chapter about the program was published in the book: Using Innovative Literacies to Develop Leadership and Agency: Inspiring Transformation and Hope A book edited by: Limor Pinhasi-Vittorio (Lehman College, CUNY) & Elite Ben-Yose, USA, IGI Global, 2023.
The chapter was written by Dr. Michal Revah, the head of the master's program in Creativity and Innovation in Education at Oranim College, together with Tamir Cohen, the program manager. In addition, two master's theses about the program were conducted at the University of Haifa and Oranim College. The article and theses appear under the association's section in academia.
Our Vision
The development and implementation of an educational therapeutic model to nurture children at environmental risk and lead them to excellence – harnessing their inherent potential from their first year of life until they reach first grade. Nurturing in the cognitive, emotional, and social realms at an early age is critical for human development. Consistent, long-term professional care involving parents serves as an educational and social springboard that will enhance these children's future chances to break free from multi-generational distress.
Program Uniqueness:
The program approaches the child already in their first year of life not because of any discovered difficulty but because of the low socio-economic status of their parents. Each child is accompanied by a personal educator or therapist, who constructs a holistic and individualized plan that includes cognitive, emotional, social, and physiological dimensions. Meanwhile, parents receive individual guidance on parenting—boundaries, empowerment, mediated learning, etc. Additionally, parents are provided with tools to nurture their child's cognitive skills.
Program Goals:
To expand the free choice capacity among children from low socio-economic backgrounds by nurturing them in the cognitive, emotional, social, and physiological realms and leading them to excellence. The development and implementation of an educational therapeutic model that will help reduce social disparities in Israeli society.
Method of Operation:
Twice a week, a guide comes to the educational setting where the toddler participates and cultivates the cognitive skills required for their developmental stage. Simultaneously, parents receive biweekly guidance from a counselor on parenting topics—boundaries, empowerment, mediated learning, etc. They also learn how to nurture their child's cognitive abilities. If professional treatment by various bodies (psychological services, child development services, etc.) is required, the program serves as an overarching framework, coordinating between all caregiving factors. Given the importance of providing children with a cognitive advantage, the program teaches thinking tools developed by various thinking experts (Feuerstein, De Bono, etc.). From the age of 5, children learn the basics of English using a method developed by the program team. To create cultural alignment, children are exposed to classic fairy tales and famous children's songs.
Target Population:
The program targets young children at risk or neglect—according to the definitions of the official welfare department. A necessary condition for participation in the program is the parents' willingness to be involved.
Towns Where the Program Has Operated:
Dimona, Be'er Sheva, Netanya, Acre, Karmiel, Shlomi, and in the following localities of the Ma'ale Yosef Regional Council: Netu'a, Even Menachem, Shomera, Granot, Goren, Ya'ara, Abdon, Ein Ya'akov, Hosn, and New Peki'in.
For more details, please contact Tamir Cohen, the program manager:
Mobile 0504007332, Tel 049105533 Email: tamirco3@gmail.com
