Lika Kurtsikidze

About

At the intersection of research and practice, I dedicate my work to unlocking the creative brilliance of young children by exploring the emotional foundations of learning, growing, and flourishing.

My professional journey began as the first Special Education Teacher at one of Georgia’s largest kindergartens: six hundred children, eighteen classrooms. There I came to recognize educational challenges as the organic rhythm of emotional systems seeking balance. Over a decade I have moved from classroom practitioner to researcher and policy advisor, leading inclusive education initiatives across more than 600 schools and 450 kindergartens. My work uses social and emotional learning, therapeutic play, and collaborative parent–teacher strategies to transform behavioural challenges into communication opportunities.

Experience

Research

Collaborations with UNICEF, the World Bank, USAID, PPMI, Caritas, World Vision, and Georgian ministries. Quantitative and qualitative work examining the connections between children’s experiences and their developmental outcomes — research that has informed national education policy.

Teaching

Program Co-head and Invited Lecturer at Ilia State University. Designed curricula for the BA in Early Childhood Education and the Special Education Teacher Preparation programs. Courses include Action Research in Early Education, Inclusive Education Principles, and the social and emotional foundations of development.

Professional

From psychologist and special education teacher in kindergartens to regional training programs and, most recently, nationwide Ministry of Education initiatives — work that ensures frontline classroom insights continuously inform educational policy.

Education

MSc Education and Neuroscience ongoing

University of Bristol
MA Children’s Psychological Assessment

Tbilisi State University
BA Psychology

Tbilisi State University

Publications

Academic articles

2025 The pyramid effect: Reframing parental perceptions and strategies for children’s social and emotional development. Problemy Wczesnej Edukacji / Issues in Early Education, 60(1).
2023 Supporting young children’s social-emotional competence in the Republic of Georgia: a focus group study. Early Child Development and Care, 193(8), 992–1006.

Books & guidelines

2025 Inclusive education guidebook. Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia. Read →
2024 Developing social and emotional competencies in school: Supportive approaches. Ilia State University. Read →
2022 Developing students’ social and emotional skills at the basic education level: A practical guide for teachers. Consultation and Training Center. Read →
2022 Social and emotional learning. Consultation and Training Center.
2022 Kindergarten yard: A guide to the importance and design of outdoor spaces in preschool institutions. World Vision Georgia. ISBN 978-9941-8-4746-2.
2021 Special education teacher’s guidebook. Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. Read →
2021 Special education teacher’s portfolio. National Center for Teacher Professional Development. Read →
2021 Inclusive education guidebook: Individualized education plan. Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia & Caritas Georgia. Read →
2020 Recommendations for parents of children under six years old. Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia. Read →
2018 Supporting the learning of students with learning disabilities: A guide for parents. Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia. Read →
2018 Supporting the development of students with intellectual disabilities: A guide for parents. Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia. Read →