No doubt the COVID-19 outbreak has changed the education landscape significantly and maybe permanently. Sending children home happened overnight without any warning and preplanning. After the first shock the school leaders have worked hard to establish a new normal by changing their working methods and utilizing digital means.

Now is the time to stop and think what to do next. Even if some countries have or are opening up, experts agree that the future is uncertain, and few believe in a fast return to the "normal".   So, conclusions should be made about what the change is all about and what should be done to go ahead:

Life in preschools has changed a lot due to corona. 300 Teachers from Finland shared their experience about how to work in emergency conditions. Original article in Helsingin Sanomat.

1. Inform families clearly

Corona obviously changes situations and policies, therefore informing about the current rules is very important. Collect all the information in one place so that families and staff knows where to find it. Focus on clear and direct messaging and make sure if some families miss the information, they can also get it later on.

Check how Kindiedays can help with collaboration and communication!

2. Forget about 'social distancing' with children

Social distancing and small children just do not go together. Teachers help the children to dress up, sneeze their noses and so on. Keeping distance is simply impossible.

3. Keep teaching the same group of children

As some children stay home, group sizes vary. Nevertheless, it is not smart to change teachers from group to another and carry germs all over the place. Ensure staff stays with the same group children and avoids new contacts.

Pedagogical Documentation is an essential working method in early childhood education and it guarantees  the best possible learning path for all children.

Simply, Pedagogical Documentation is observing for example children’s play, projects, discussions, ideas and inventions via taking photos, making notes, writing down explanations as well as tricky questions, saving artwork, videoing action, recording voice...and using all the documents purposefully. What makes documentation Pedagogical Documentation is the idea that educators use the documents wisely - reflect on them and modify their planning and teaching accordingly (Katz & Chard 1996.)

Co-operating with a child's family is one the most important matters in early childhood education. Parents know their child best, therefore their input, knowledge and views concerning their child are crucial. Both educators and the family are interested in the best of the child, so you are on the same boat.

Especially when the child is starting his journey in early childhood education, family's insight is priceless. Family can give educators important knowledge, for example about the child's interests, acquired skills, fears and routines. In the beginning it is good to ask the family to fill a Child Resume so that you get all those meaningful pieces of information that may help you a lot during the child's adjustment time.

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When the child is starting in early childhood education, also families are desperate for information how everything is going. Then it is good to have a clear system how educators inform families efficiently and without spending too much time on writing notes, messages and emails. Keep in mind that every photo or video of the child's day will delight the parents minds!

Children usually love getting creative! You can use all kinds of easy-to-get materials for an activity, for example recycled cereal boxes, newspapers, toilet paper rolls… Nevertheless, there are couple of things to consider before letting the kids go wild!

1. Prepare materials - Materials used for art activities can be basically anything. Recycled materials are always a good choice. You can use for example: recycled cereal boxes, newspapers, toilet paper rolls, jars, cardboard boxes, odd mittens, pieces of broken toys or clothes, natural materials and anything you can find around!

2. Choose methods – Are the children interested in painting, cutting, sticking, coloring..? Choose the needed equipment accordingly, taking also the children’s developmental levels into account. It is good to give children various opportunities to explore different kind of methods and tools.