In modern preschools, children learn best through playful learning—exploring, imagining, experimenting, and collaborating. Play is not just fun; it is the foundation for developing language, creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.

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But here’s the challenge: traditional assessment methods don’t capture the richness of playful learning. End-of-term checklists or exams may show what a child can do at one point in time, but they miss the everyday progress and joyful discoveries happening in your classroom.

This is where formative assessment comes in. By observing and documenting learning as it happens, teachers can better understand each child’s growth, tailor their instruction to meet individual needs, and share meaningful progress with parents.

And with Kindiedays Digi Tools, formative assessment becomes simple, organized, and powerful—supporting teachers in creating evidence of playful learning while building trust with parents and showcasing the quality of your preschool.

Formative vs. Summative Assessment in Preschools

Formative Assessment

• What it is: Continuous assessment that tracks learning during the process, not just at the end.
• How it works in preschools: Teachers observe children during play, story time, or group activities and record notes, photos, or videos. These observations are linked to developmental goals like communication, creativity, or motor skills.
• Why it matters: Development in early childhood is ongoing and non-linear. Formative assessment captures this journey—helping teachers adapt lessons, celebrate small achievements, and encourage each child’s individual growth.

Summative Assessment

• What it is: An Evaluation that sums up what a child has learned at the end of a unit, term, or milestone.
• How it works in preschools: End-of-term reports, progress charts, or portfolios presented to parents to show overall achievement.
• Why it matters: Summative assessment is used for curriculum reviews, quality checks, and giving parents a snapshot of their child’s overall progress at key points.

A New Way of Assessment for Playful Learning

As schools across Finland reopen this week after the summer holidays, a significant change is making headlines: smartphones will be banned in classrooms across the country starting from August 2025. This move is part of a broader effort to restore focus in learning and reduce screen-related distractions. Still, a year ago, starting school meant getting a smartphone.

While the law mainly targets primary and secondary schools, the conversation around digital balance begins much earlier – already in preschool. As preschool educators and owners, it’s essential to ask: Are we doing enough to ensure young children are learning through social interaction and play – not passive screen time?

📘 What’s the New Law in Finland?

The Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture has confirmed several key changes:

• Smartphones can only be used for learning or health purposes – and only with teacher permission.
• Teachers now have the authority to confiscate phones if they disrupt learning.
• Schools must set clear rules on how and when phones can be stored or accessed.
• During breaks, schools are encouraged to offer alternative activities to keep students off their phones.
• Parents and teachers are expected to work together to promote a new culture of phone-free recreation.

📌 "The goal is to improve student focus and create a peaceful learning atmosphere," says Finland’s Ministry of Education.

These changes respond to increasing concerns in Finland that children and teens are spending too much time on phones—often more than four hours a day. Cyberbullying has also increased, linked to more frequent phone use during school hours.

🎒 But What About Preschoolers?