In Finland, children learn through play and we don't score children! So how can the parents be sure that their child is developing and learning, while also having fun? Parents want to be engaged and confident that the preschool provides high-quality education. But the daily face-to-face meetings between educators and parents are so hectic. There is simply so little time and so much to tell and discuss concerning the child's learning journey.  A better approach is needed.

How to go forward?

Planning and pedagogical documentation are the basis for high-quality education. A consistent learning process throughout the year is required as the foundation for engaging the parents and making the child's learning journey visible to them.

Lack of time is a challenge in childcare centers all over the world and therefore digital solutions help a lot with daily collaboration. With a digital solution such as Kindiedays Pedagogical Management Solution, you can share the child's learning journey both in real-time and in the form of automatically collected portfolios and reports. No need to hassle with pen and paper anymore. Educators save time and families find all the important information in one place.

With the learning process and foundation in place, you can offer the parents superior ways to stay engaged and confident.

Promise this to the parents to gain their confidence in your preschool!

Most modern education policies and curriculums prescribe parent engagement as one of the cornerstones of education and care. Parents today request to know what is happening during the day and to learn how the child is developing. The daily face-to-face meetings between educators and parents are very important but too hectic. There is simply so little time and so much to tell and discuss.  A better approach is needed.

Why is it important?

Co-operating with a child's family is one of the most important matters in early childhood education. Parents know their child best, therefore their input, knowledge, and views concerning their child are crucial. Parents want to engage in the child's learning. See evidence of learning and be sure their child is developing well. Parents also want to handle all the daily practicalities in a smooth and efficient way. Both educators and the family are interested in the best of the child, so you are in the same boat.

How to go forward?

Let’s face it.

The better you have planned your day with the children – the better children will learn and you will do your job more efficiently.

Surely there are days when things do not go according to plan, but without a plan and preparations, the teacher is like a meteorite floating in space without a direction.

What should lesson plans include?

Planning takes lots of teachers’ time upfront, but with ready-made lesson plans created by professionals, you get in the right direction in no time.

To support children's holistic learning, lesson plans should include:

1. activities from all the learning areas
2. activities should be linked to the curriculum’s learning objectives to secure a consistent pedagogical approach

With these two tips, you are well off with planning and properly prepared for the children's goal-oriented learning moments.

Kindiedays Lesson Plans - holistic approach towards the whole learning process

Kindiedays has designed a package that includes a broad set of lesson plans aligned with the Finnish Curriculum. The lesson plans follow a holistic approach and theme-based learning. They are already linked to the learning objectives to help your planning.

Scroll down and get your free sample!

A recent study provides insight into how to improve preschool programs.

This large American study included nearly 3000 children in Tennessee who applied to a free preschool program biased towards traditional, academic teaching. The longitudinal study followed children from preschool up to 6th grade and surprisingly showed even negative effects. This urged the researchers to further analyze what was not working and how to improve the preschool programs.

Six evidence-based ideas for how to improve preschool programs:

1. Abstract “unconstrained” skills

Preschools should focus more on developing abstract “unconstrained” skills rather than specific “constrained” academic skills.

In other words: preschool should pay attention to skills that can never be fully mastered as listening, attention, and problem-solving. Rather than specific “constrained” academic skills that can be mastered, such as learning the alphabet or counting to 10.

2. Positive attention

Preschools should focus on giving children more positive attention for appropriate behavior. Rather than negative attention for inappropriate behavior. Focusing on positive attention for appropriate behavior is linked with better self-regulation abilities in children.

3. Child-led activities

Preschools should involve primarily child-led activities or “choice time.” Research has found that play-based preschools are usually associated with better long-term outcomes. Rather than preschools focusing only on direct instruction of academic skills.

Research also finds that encouraging cooperative play among children is linked to better language skills and better self-regulation.

What is Finnish ECEC?

4. Movement and outdoor play

Preschools should involve frequent opportunities for movement and gross motor activity.

Research shows that preschool children are more attentive to classroom tasks after a break with some playtime, particularly after outdoor playtime.

5. Alternating interaction

Preschool teachers should focus more on listening to the children in their class. Rather than only teaching them unilaterally. When teachers listen to children, the children show improved learning in many areas.

When children have opportunities to speak more often in class, they show stronger self-regulation and vocabulary. So discuss, ask, support and challenge children with different topics and let them talk, question, explain and ponder on things.

What is pedagogical documentation?

6. Incorporate learning into transition times

What are the rights of the child?

With the present situation in the world, paying close attention to the rights of the child is surely in place. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights agreement in history. Up to 196 countries have signed the agreement and promised to protect children’s rights. 

Let's wish good things for all the children around the world today, tomorrow, and every single day of the year!

The Convention says childhood is a special, protected time, in which children must be allowed to grow, learn, play, develop and flourish with dignity.

Below you can revise the Convention on the Rights of the Child. First, there are 14 points brought up by Kindiedays and in the end, there is a simplified list of all the 54 conventions. All the rights are related, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children.

The list is written in simple language so these points can be also discussed with children. Let's make children's rights more visible for everyone.

The Convention on the Rights of the child - 14 picks

by UNICEF

2. No discrimination

All children have all these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what language they speak, what their religion is, what they think, what they look like, if they are a boy or girl, if they have a disability, if they are rich or poor, and no matter who their parents or families are or what their parents or families believe or do. No child should be treated unfairly for any reason.

3. Best interests of the child

When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. All adults should do what is best for children. Governments should make sure children are protected and looked after by their parents, or by other people when this is needed. Governments should make sure that people and places responsible for looking after children are doing a good job. 

Get a 'Child Resume template' to find out personal interests!

12. Respect for children's views

Children have the right to give their opinions freely on issues that affect them. Adults should listen and take children seriously.

Take children's views into consideration by downloading a 'Child's Individual Curriculum' template!

13. Sharing thoughts 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.

14. Freedom of thought and religion

Children can choose their own thoughts, opinions, and religion, but this should not stop other people from enjoying their rights. Parents can guide children so that as they grow up, they learn to properly use this right.

17. 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. Governments should encourage the media to share information from lots of different sources, in languages that all children can understand

22. Refugee children

Children who move from their home country to another country as refugees (because it was not safe for them to stay there) should get help and protection and have the same rights as children born in that country.

28. Access to education

Every child has the right to an education. Primary education should be free. Secondary and higher education should be available to every child. Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level possible. Discipline in schools should respect children’s rights and never use violence.

Early learning matters!

29. Aims of 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.

Let children reach their personal best!

30. Minority culture, language, and religion

Children have the right to use their own language, culture, and religion - even if these are not shared by most people in the country where they live.

31. Rest, play, culture, arts

Every child has the right to rest, relax, play, and take part in cultural and creative activities.

Combine culture and art with this Art and Music activity!

38. Protection in war

Children have the right to be protected during war. No child under 15 can join the army or take part in the war.

UNICEF: War in Ukraine poses an immediate threat to children

39. Recovery and reintegration

Children have the right to get help if they have been hurt, neglected, treated badly or affected by war, so they can get back their health and dignity.

42. Everyone must know children's rights

Governments should actively tell children and adults about this Convention so that everyone knows about children’s rights.