PISA results: Mathematics and reading skills challenging

According to the newest PISA results, student performance in mathematics and reading fell across OECD countries. PISA 2022 is an international test of reading, math, and science administered in 81 countries and education systems to track how 15-year-old students apply their knowledge as they near the end of K-12 and enter postsecondary education or the workforce. The results also show how their academic performance compares to their peers globally. 

What explains the declining PISA results? Covid surely has had an impact, but it cannot be the whole truth. It should also be remembered that PISA measures only certain aspects of learning at a certain age.

What should schools and teachers do differently to get students to learn 21st-century skills in a modern and holistic way? What should parents and homes maybe do differently? How should children and youth change their actions at home and school?

Read further and see how investments in education (financial, pedagogical, human, material, and time resources) are related to student performance, well-being, and equality in education.

The following tips can be converted and used already in early childhood education

The earlier children get oriented with great and stable learning environments and goal-oriented learning habits, the better children prosper in early childhood education, elementary school, and further than that.

How to support children's learning holistically?

According to OECD supporting students in and beyond the classroom is key.

December is here, and so are the Christmas or Advent calendars. In Finland, children usually have their own calendar at home and the preschool has one as well. Therefore, here is a nice 24-day activity calendar for everyone who wants to get some "winter spirit" inspired by the North Pole.

The aim of Advent calendars is simply to bring joy. The advent calendar traditionally has 24 little surprises, so from the 1st to the 24th of December you get to open one little surprise. The surprise can be anything from a cute picture, a piece of chocolate, a small toy, or a suggestion for an activity as in this one.

Christmas calendar with activities inspired by the North Pole

The calendar is divided into four parts (6+6+6+6), and all together you will get 24 little pictures with an activity in it. In this post, you will get the second half of the activities (6+6).

The first half of activities (1-12) were in the previous blog and you can get them from here.

PART 2

There is a list of ideas on how to prepare or how to modify the activity according to weather conditions and the age of the children.

In a dynamic educational landscape, staying competitive is crucial. We understand the challenges you and your educators face in providing the best learning environment for young minds and at the same time showing evidence of learning to the families. 

But what if 6 months from now......

In the heart of your preschool, laughter echoes through vibrant classrooms:

🥰 Children, excited and curious, engage in playful learning activities that spark their imagination.

👩‍🎓 Educators run carefully crafted experiential lesson plans, fostering an environment where every child's potential is nurtured. 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents beam with pride, confident in the holistic growth their little ones are experiencing.

Together we can make it a reality through a cost-efficient program

We are thrilled to introduce Kindiedays' Early Years Transformation Program An affordable and interactive program tailored for preschools with the ambition to grow and be successful cost-efficiently.

December is almost here, and so are the Christmas or Advent calendars. In Finland, children usually have their own calendar at home and the preschool has one as well. Therefore, here is a nice 24-day activity calendar for everyone who wants to get some "winter spirit" inspired by the North Pole.

The aim of Advent calendars is simply to bring joy. The advent calendar traditionally has 24 little surprises, so from the 1st to the 24th of December you get to open one little surprise. The surprise can be anything from a cute picture, a piece of chocolate, a small toy, or a suggestion for an activity as in this one.

Follow this post and get the 6+6 activity ideas for your own Finnish-style Christmas calendar with children! The second half of the calendar is coming out soon too.

PART 1

Christmas calendar with activities inspired by the North Pole

The calendar is divided into four parts (6+6+6+6), and all together you will get 24 little pictures with an activity in it. In this post, you will get the first half of the activities (6+6) and the rest come out soon.

There is a list of ideas on how to prepare or how to modify the activity according to weather conditions and the age of the children.

The UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of the Child on the 20th of November 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the same date in 1989.

Therefore, World Children’s Day is celebrated every year on the 20th of November, and this entire week is dedicated to children. The theme this year is "For every child, every right".

For every child, peace. Every child, everywhere, has a right to live in a peaceful world.

Children have the right to:

• Personal views. Children have the right to give their opinions freely on issues that affect them. Adults should listen and take children seriously.
• Own thoughts and share them freely. Children have the right to share freely with others what they learn, think, and feel, by talking, drawing, writing, or in any other way unless it harms other people.
• Access to information. Children have the right to get information from the Internet, radio, television, newspapers, books, and other sources. Adults should make sure the information they are getting is not harmful.
• A full life with disabilities. Every child with a disability should enjoy the best possible life in society.
• Food, clothing, and a safe home. Children have the right to food, clothing, and a safe place to live so they can develop in the best possible way. The government should help families and children who cannot afford this.
• Proper education. Children’s education should help them fully develop their personalities, talents, and abilities. It should teach them to understand their own rights and to respect other people’s rights, cultures, and differences. It should help them to live peacefully and protect the environment.
• Rest, play, culture, arts. Every child has the right to rest, relax, play, and take part in cultural and creative activities.

See the full list of the Rights of the Child from here.

How to celebrate World Children's Day in early education?