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At Kindiedays, we believe that the best professional development starts from teachers’ real experiences. This was precisely the case during our recent training at Peas in Pod preschool, where the educators’ voices shaped the entire session. Kindiedays Education Specialist Stella Giota shares her experiences and feedback from Peas in Pod's teachers.
Starting With What Matters to Teachers
The day began with teachers openly sharing the everyday challenges they face in their classrooms. What stood out immediately was how thoughtful, committed, and reflective the Peas in Pod team is.
They raised issues that many educators around the world relate to:
- How do we support children through conflicts?
- How can we build stronger bonds and trust?
- How do we keep young learners engaged—especially in big groups?
- How can we design activities that work for different children and needs?
These conversations created a strong sense of connection. Teachers realised they were not alone, and they appreciated having a safe, supportive space to reflect on their work.
Discovering the Power of Open-Ended Art
From there, we moved into our topic of the day: Diverse Forms of Expression.
For many teachers, the turning point in the training was understanding the difference between open-ended and closed-ended art. Several teachers shared that in their own classrooms, and in many preschools, they often see identical crafts displayed on the walls.
During the training, they experienced something different.
Teachers created their own birds using collage materials. Even though the task had a clear structure, every bird turned out to be unique. Teachers expressed how refreshing it felt to create freely and to make something that reflected their own choices and ideas.
Many teachers said they realised that:
“Art doesn’t have to be perfect. It has to be meaningful.”
This moment shifted their perspective on how children should experience art at school.
Designing an Art Corner That Inspires Children
Another practical insight teachers valued was learning how to organise an art corner that encourages independence and creativity. They reflected on how small changes like accessible materials, clear organisation, and inviting displays can make a big difference in everyday learning.
Teachers are left with concrete ideas they can immediately apply in their own classrooms.
Seeing Art as a Pathway to Learning
Throughout the session, teachers connected art to the broader learning goals they already care about:
- strengthening language development,
- supporting emotional expression and self-regulation,
- building cognitive skills through decision-making and problem-solving,
- enhancing physical development through hands-on exploration.
Experiencing Learning the Way Children Do
Perhaps the most appreciated aspect of the training was its experiential nature. Teachers repeatedly said that doing the activities themselves helped them better understand what children feel, think, and need during similar experiences.
Many teachers reflected that:
“When we learn by doing, we remember better, and the same is true for our children.”
This is the foundation of playful, experiential, child-centered learning at Kindiedays, and we are here to guide teachers step by step as they bring these approaches into their classrooms.
A Partnership That Supports Teachers
What made this training special was not only the content but also the teachers' engagement, curiosity, and openness. Their questions, reflections, and willingness to try new approaches shaped the whole session.
The training became a shared journey—one where teachers learned from the content, from each other, and from their own hands-on experiences.
"A beautiful mentor training session with Stella from Kindiedays! Our teachers gained practical tools and fresh perspectives to integrate Finnish pedagogy into their daily learning experiences.
Growing, learning, and evolving—together 🌿✨", says Dr Shilpy Dubey, Academic Coordinator at Peas in Pod preschool.
What next?
👉 Learn more about how Kindiedays Academy can support your preschool with a complete workshop programme tailored for challenger preschools.
Stella Giota
I hope you will join me in the next cohort starting Saturday, December 20th
👉 Click here to explore Kindiedays Academy and sign up!
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