After the pandemic and lockdowns, many preschools feel the pain to get up to speed again. The previous working methods seem outdated. A fresh start is needed, but the task is overwhelming and time is scarce. You need a systematic approach to get a lift for your teacher, children, and parents.

Take some time with your team to define or review your goals, values, and teaching methods in written form...

1. Learning goals & guidelines

This is an important, theoretical part of the curriculum. Pay attention to the quality of research you use and also to the accuracy of learning goals. Keep in mind that it is not necessary for children to accomplish a set of learning goals in a specific order, but at their own individual pace as we all are unique learners. Discuss these topics:

• Key elements of the national early learning standards
• Relevant and up-to-date research on childhood development
• Learning goals for children in each learning area
• Description of the group of children (needs, strengths, interests...)
• Introduction of the educators

2. Values, ethos & teaching

As much as children learn from teachers, teachers learn from children. In this section of the curriculum, discuss the values and ethos of your preschool or early learning center. Open up how you communicate with the children and families, what type of behavior and cooperation you value, how you plan the activities, and what drives your work community.

For example, Finland's National Core curriculum for ECEC defines values as follows:

• The intrinsic value of childhood
• Growth as a human being
• Rights of the child
• Equity, equality, and diversity
• Diversity of families
• Healthy and sustainable way of living.

Discuss and define the values that you stand behind and list them clearly in your curriculum along with the other important framework:

• Underlying values, ethos
• Communication styles with children and families
• Teaching styles
• Planning of activities

3. Learning environments

Imagine yourself as a child and look at the classroom from different perspectives: What can the child see and reach?

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