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?

Updated with Practical Tips for Teachers and Managers

A child’s emotional development lays the foundation for lifelong learning, confidence, and wellbeing. A preschool that focuses on a child's emotional needs becomes more than just a learning space—it becomes a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where children feel free to explore, express, and engage.

At Kindiedays, we believe every preschool can create such an emotionally rich learning environment. Here’s how, along with new practical tips you can implement today.

1. Build Close Relationships with Children

Strong, secure relationships between teachers and children form the foundation of a supportive and emotionally learning environment. When children feel safe, they are more likely to engage in play, learn new things, and form positive connections with others.

Simple Tip:
Use the child’s name often, especially during greetings and transitions. “Good morning, Aarav! I’m so happy to see you today!” A warm, personal greeting helps the child feel seen and valued.

NEW Practical Tip:
🌱 Create a “Feelings Check-In” board: Every morning, invite children to place their name or photo under “Happy,” “Sad,” “Excited,” or “Tired.” This builds emotional vocabulary and helps teachers connect individually with children who need support that day.

2. Acknowledge and Support Children's Emotions

Teaching young children to understand and manage their emotions is just as important as teaching numbers or the alphabet. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is the foundation for a child’s success in school and life. It helps children build confidence, empathy, self-regulation, and positive relationships—all essential life skills.

At Kindiedays, we believe in learning through play. This guide will help you bring world-class SEL practices into your early years program using playful methods.

🌈 What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)?

Children who possess healthy socio-emotional skills are more likely to succeed in school, at work, and in life.

According to Pathways, Socio-emotional skills help children to:

• Make friends and keep friendships
• Understand how others feel
• Gain confidence
• Resolve conflicts
• Manage stress and anxiety
• Learn social norms
• Make appropriate decisions
• Resist negative social pressure
• Learn strengths and weaknesses
• Gain awareness of what others are feeling

Strong emotional skills in early childhood are linked to better academic performance, stronger mental health, and more meaningful relationships later in life.

In the early years, SEL is best taught through play, routine, and warm relationships, not lectures or worksheets.

Download a brochure by Pathways about the development of Socio-Emotional skills

🎲 5 Games to Teach Emotions in Preschool

Here are five hands-on, low-prep games that make SEL fun and meaningful for young children.

Are you an entrepreneurial leader who sees the opportunity to transform preschool education in India?

India’s preschool market is growing rapidly — not just in size but in ambition. Parents are demanding higher-quality early education. Schools are seeking new ways to differentiate themselves. And teachers are ready to move from outdated methods to playful, child-centric learning.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has opened a new chapter for early years education, with a strong emphasis on learning through play, holistic development, and 21st-century skills.

• This is the moment for change.
• This is the moment for leadership.
• This is the moment for you.

Why Kindiedays?

Kindiedays is a Finnish EdTech company with a proven model for bringing Finland’s world-renowned early childhood education to preschools across India and Southeast Asia.

We support preschool businesses to:

• Deliver high-quality, NEP-aligned learning experiences
• Empower teachers with digital tools and ready-to-use lesson plans
• Engage parents and show real evidence of learning
• Build a profitable and trusted preschool brand

With Kindiedays, you don’t start from scratch. You get: