LovABLE Local Pilots: Inclusive Sexuality Education in practice with students
As part of the Erasmus+ project LovABLE – Sex Education for Children with Disabilities in Early Age School (2023-2-EL01-KA210-SCH-000174526), two local pilot initiatives were conducted in Greece and Romania in May 2025.
These pilots marked the transition from the design of the LovABLE Methodological Guide and Educational Materials to their first real implementation with students in inclusive educational settings.
The activities aimed to provide teachers with practical experience in applying the project’s resources and to explore how young learners with disabilities respond to age-appropriate and inclusive sexuality education.
Implementation in Greece – Preschool Special Education Unit in Chalkida (PSEUC)
The Greek pilots took place between 26 May and 28 May 2025, involving 32 students (26 preschoolers and 6 primary school students) in two special education schools in Chalkida. They were facilitated by teachers, led by Zacharenia Karathanasi.
Under the shared title “Let’s learn about our bodies and our relationships”, a series of interactive workshops invited children to:
- recognise body parts and personal boundaries,
- express emotions through drawing and role-play, and
- understand friendship, diversity and respect.
Activities were carefully adapted to the communication and sensory needs of each student, using visual aids, tactile materials, and storytelling techniques from the LovABLE toolkit.
A key activity during the sessions was the use of the interactive tool “My Body Traffic Light”, inspired by the LovABLE educational material. The tool helps children understand personal boundaries and bodily autonomy through color-coded cues: green for safe and comfortable situations, yellow for uncertain ones, and red for inappropriate or unsafe touches. By sorting everyday scenarios into these categories, students were able to visually and emotionally express when something feels right or wrong.
Educators combined short stories, group play, and creative arts to help children identify safe versus unsafe situations in an age-appropriate way.
Photo: Students from the two Special Education Schools of Chalkida, engaging with visual materials, created for the pilot activities
Feedback from the teachers highlighted the children’s enthusiasm, the relevance of the visual tools, and the supportive classroom environment created through inclusive participation.
Implementation in Romania – CSEI Arad
In Romania, the local pilots were organized at the Center for Inclusive Education (CSEI Arad) and facilitated by teachers led by Amalia Cojocariu.
Between 26 and 28 May 2025, the activities reached a total of 31 students in several primary classes (Grades I–IV), each attending thematic workshops entitled “Let’s learn about your body and your relationships with others!”. The sessions combined group discussion, drawing, and cooperative games, encouraging empathy, respect, and emotional expression. Students explored basic notions of body awareness, friendship, and diversity through play and collaboration.
The inclusive approach enabled all learners to participate, including those with intellectual or communication disabilities, with support provided through visual prompts and simple language.
Photos: Students in Arad participating in class workshops, working collaboratively on LovABLE
Romanian educators noted that the LovABLE materials were easy to adapt and well received by both children and staff, stimulating curiosity and dialogue about emotions, relationships, and personal safety.
Evaluation and Impact
Both schools implemented an evaluation tool tailored to young learners, asking simple questions about feelings, comfort, understanding, and willingness to join future sessions.
Across both countries:
- More than 90 % of children reported feeling “very good” during the workshops.
- Nearly all expressed that they understood what was discussed.
- The vast majority stated they would like to participate again in the future.
- Open questions and drawings revealed joy, curiosity, and a growing sense of belonging.
Lessons learned from the implementation of the Local Pilots with students
- Visual and sensory tools enhance understanding and participation.
- Group play and storytelling foster trust and engagement among all students.
- Collaboration between teachers, parents, and support staff ensures continuity beyond the classroom.
- Flexibility and adaptation to each learner’s profile are key to successful implementation.
These pilots demonstrated that inclusive sexuality education is both possible and beneficial when guided by a clear methodology, accessible materials, and educator preparation.
Conclusion
The LovABLE Local Pilots with students in Greece and Romania have proven that inclusive sexuality education can be meaningfully integrated into early-age learning environments. Through play, dialogue, and creativity, children learned to understand their bodies, express their feelings, and respect personal boundaries. The results reinforce the project’s core message: inclusion begins with awareness, empathy, and education from the earliest years.
Visit our website at https://www.lovableproject.eu/ to learn more about the project and download the Methodological Guide and Educational Material under the “Resources” menu.
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