During March-April 2567, Walailak University, represented by Dr.Pongpan Compan, Asst. Prof. Suwimon Naraong-ard, Ms. Waradee Lertgrai from the School of Education and Liberal Arts, Asst.Prof.Dr. Wannisa Kumban and Asst.Prof. Jiraphat Nawarat from the School of Allied Health Sciences, and the Center for Academic Services team, collaborated with the Division of Education Religious and Culture of Thaiburi Subdistrict Administrative Organization to conduct the meeting under “The 4^th Year Early Childhood Equity Education Project (ECEEP)” and “The Physical Therapy Project for Movement Development in Early Childhood in Communities Surrounding the University.” Also, they organized activities to transfer technology for developing learning corners at Early Childhood Development Centers (SDG 4) and observed children’s development (SDG 3) for teachers at Wat Khoklek Early Childhood Development Center and Satit Walailak Pattana Early Childhood Development Center.

Additionally, Walailak University’s team participated in various activities of the Thaiburi Subdistrict Administrative Organization, including academic day activities of Early Childhood Development Centers to showcase the previous year’s project achievements and home visits with the teachers to support upgrading study of educational institutions model, observing the development of young children and children with special needs before assessing motor skills and cognitive abilities to manage their future lives.

The 4^th Year Early Childhood Equity Education Project (ECEEP) is a continuous project under the WU – Social Engagement, aiming to enhance the capabilities and bridge educational efficiency gaps for young children in the local area by implementing the “High Scope” teaching method emphasizing hands-on learning processes. The research development will be used as data for policymaking for equitable early childhood education in Thailand. The target groups include Early Childhood Development Centers under the Subdistrict Administrative Organizations in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, with a project duration of 5 years. In 2023, the assessment of young children’s skills found a 40% increase in Executive Functions (EF) for managing life successfully, but muscle development, especially fine motor, remained a significant challenge for Early Childhood Development Centers. Therefore, collaboration was initiated with the Physical Therapy Department, the School of Allied Health Sciences, to conduct the Physical Therapy Project for Movement Development in Early Childhood in Communities Surrounding the University. This project aims to enhance physical fitness in young children, promoting growth, health, age-appropriate development, and learning abilities, turning them into quality human resources following the “Happy Trees Model” – Good Education, Good Health, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG4 “Quality Education”, providing equal and comprehensive education and promoting lifelong learning for everyone; SDG3 “Good Health and Well-being”, promoting health and well-being among the elderly at the local community level; SDG17 “Partnerships for the Goals” emphasizing collaboration with relevant networks and organizations.