Original article by Rahma Abudhais and published by GESS Education

In recent years, artificial intelligence has become an increasingly influential part of educational systems around the world. As schools explore new ways to integrate technology into teaching and learning, the presence of AI in classrooms has grown steadily. This shift has encouraged educators, parents, and policymakers to reconsider how learning happens and how children can be best supported in a world where digital tools are becoming more prominent.

While AI offers new opportunities for innovation, its impact is most meaningful when it is grounded in a clear understanding of how children learn, think, and develop.

What does it mean in Early Years?

The early years of education remain one of the most critical stages for cognitive, emotional, and social growth.

During this period, children’s brains form essential neural connections that support problem-solving, communication, creativity, and curiosity.

Introducing AI-related experiences during these years is not about teaching children complex technologies, but about helping them explore ideas, observe patterns, and engage with tools that encourage active learning.

When used thoughtfully, AI can become a supportive element that enriches children’s natural learning processes rather than replacing them.

Research in early childhood education highlights the importance of hands-on exploration, sensory experiences, and meaningful interaction. These principles remain central even in the AI era.

Before children can understand how AI works, they must first develop foundational skills such as observing, questioning, predicting, and making connections.

Forward-looking preschools seek practical ways to move toward playful, experiential, child-centered learning—the learning young children truly need. 

But here is the real problem:

Most teachers have never been trained to implement these ideas in practice.

They receive textbooks or activity suggestions but lack the skills to translate them into meaningful classroom experiences.

This lack of practical training means that curriculum goals often remain on paper rather than materialize in the classroom.

A Practical Solution: Kindiedays Academy

Kindiedays Academy is a 10-workshop professional development program that builds teacher skills step by step—from classroom environment and language development to STEM, art, community learning, parent partnerships, and documentation.

Every workshop includes:

• Live teaching (never pre-recorded)
• Real examples from Finnish classrooms
• Hands-on participation
• Open discussion
• Q&A and problem-solving
• Practical implementation tasks to try with children

Teachers don’t just learn theory. They practice, apply, reflect, and transform the way they teach.

Next Cohort starts May 21st.

Download the Full Program and SIGN UP HERE

Workshop-by-Workshop: What Problem Each One Solves

Below is a clear breakdown of the problems each workshop addresses and the knowledge teachers gain.

Walk into almost any preschool today, and you will hear a similar statement from the center head or teachers:

“We follow activity-based learning.”

At first glance, this sounds exactly right. Parents like it. Teachers feel confident saying it. And compared to traditional worksheet-heavy methods, it certainly feels like progress.

But here is the uncomfortable truth preschool owners are beginning to face:

Doing activities is not the same as delivering learning.

🤔 And increasingly, parents are noticing the difference.

The Shift in Parent Expectations

Today, parents are asking deeper questions:

• What is my child actually learning?
• How is this helping their development?
• Why should I choose your preschool over another nearby option?

It means that “activity-based learning” is no longer a differentiator—it is just a basic expectation.

The Common Gap: Activity Without Purpose

At Kindiedays, we have been working on something important behind the scenes—our renewed lesson plans.

This is not just about adding more content. It’s about creating a clearer, more balanced, and more meaningful way to support children’s learning throughout the entire preschool year.

Full-year support across all age groups

The renewed lesson plans are designed for:

• Level 1: 3–4 years
• Level 2: 4–5 years
• Level 3: 5–6 years

With 160 lesson plans per level, teachers are supported across the whole preschool year.

This means less time spent searching for ideas—and more time focusing on what matters most: the children.

Learning life skills through everyday experiences

An important element of the lesson plans is the connection to transversal competencies, which are the life skills children develop through meaningful experiences.

Instead of teaching these skills separately, they are naturally embedded into each activity.

For example:

• Children learn collaboration while cooking together
• They develop problem-solving through building and experimenting
• They practice communication while creating stories or role-playing

This means that children are not only learning academic concepts, but also developing the skills they need for everyday life.

Aligned with the Finnish curriculum

All lesson plans are connected to the Finnish early childhood education approach.

When the full set of lesson plans is implemented, all objectives from the Finnish National Core Curriculum are covered.

Teachers don’t need to worry about gaps in learning. The structure already supports a complete and thoughtful learning journey.

A clear monthly and weekly structure

To support both planning and progression, the lesson plans are organised in a simple and consistent way:

• Each theme lasts one month
• Each theme is divided into 4 subthemes
• Each subtheme is designed for one week

This helps teachers:

• Follow a clear structure
• Build learning step by step
• Create a more connected experience for children

Instead of isolated activities, children experience a learning journey over time.

Parent engagement - one of the most underestimated factors in early education

At Kindiedays, we don’t just support teachers — we support families too. That’s why we partner with every preschool to deliver Parent Orientation sessions each year, helping parents understand:

• The Finnish early childhood education approach
• How young children actually learn (through play, not pressure)
• What is happening in the classroom — and why
• Practical ways to support their child at home

When parents understand all this, something powerful happens:

👉 Less confusion

👉 More trust

👉 Stronger collaboration between home and school

And most importantly…💛 Better outcomes for children

Parents have the opportunity to ask questions, reflect, and better understand how to support their child’s development at home.

When parents understand the approach, they feel more confident, more connected, and more aligned with the school.

And that leads to better outcomes for children.

Watch video HERE

Parent Questions Series

To support the preschools and parents, we created 4 short videos to answer questions that frequently pop up in the sessions:

Episode 1: Will my child fall behind?