Kindiedays Themes-based lesson plans include pedagogical learning objectives. But it is not enough to just have pedagogical lesson plans, you also need to observe, document, and assess the learning to guarantee the best possible learning path for all children. The whole learning process must be tightly aligned with your curriculum.

Portfolio Learning, Pedagogical Documentation, and Formative Assessment are essential working methods in early childhood education. 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 as part of the formative assessment of children's learning. 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.)

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.)

Pedagogical documentation gives educators new and authentic views of children’s behavior, thoughts, ideas, challenges, and creative processes. Each lovely, unique child deserves to be known and understood as an individual (Katz & Chard, 1996).

The process of pedagogical documentation is meaningful only if you take advantage of the possibilities and challenges it offers. It is important to think about how you can develop the activities. What learning goals, themes, and should you choose next? What is your next step toward better early childhood education? (Tarkka 2018.)

Before observation and documentation

Name is something that defines the child's identity and personality. A child's name can make them unique if they have a name that is almost 'one of a kind'. On the other hand, a child's name can tie the little one to being part of the family history if the child gets a name from an appreciated family member.

Whatever the meaning, history, or story of the child's name is - everyone's name surely is important as it is needed everywhere you go, all your life. The question "What is your name?" children hear many, many, many times in their lives on several different occasions. Other children, teachers, aunts, and even unknown people might be interested in the child's name! In case of an emergency (if the child gets lost for example) it is a great skill if a child can and has the courage to tell, write or spell his/her own name!

As names are an interesting and lovely topic, there is also a lesson plan that is about children's names. Name play in early years is one of the early literacy activities that has
many benefits. Before children are ready to write their names, they can focus on name recognition, spelling their name,s and constructing their names.

Get My Name lesson plan from here !

Kindiedays theme-based lesson plans

Theme-based lessons make learning engaging and meaningful for children. By exploring a central theme, children can see how different subjects are connected, participate in hands-on activities, and develop their language, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Themes provide context for learning, allowing children to relate new information to their own experiences. This fosters motivation, active participation, and a deeper understanding of the subject matter, laying a strong foundation for future learning.

The Lessons are also connected to 5 learning areas and their objectives derived from the Finnish National Curriculum. However, the learning areas and objectives are often similar to other international curriculums and can easily be used in any Early Learning Center.

Example of a lesson plan for the learning area "Rich world of languages"

1. My Name

Lesson focus and goals

My Name lesson plan helps children to practice letter recognition and formation. It also promotes understanding that marks on pages represent letters and words
as well as phonemic awareness. This activity helps children to practice alphabet letters
and stimulate interest in learning and writing. It improves fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The lesson also allows children to practice their writing skills, own name is often the first word children learn to write on their own.

Theme emotions - is there anything more important than this?

It is vitally important that children learn about emotions. Emotions is a wide topic that can (and should) be handled with care from different angles: name emotions, where do different emotions rise from, how to deal with emotions, think of own actions and what emotions the actions can cause to others, and so on...

Children are different in how they show emotions and how they can cope with them. Some children scream and cry loudly because of frustration if they cannot put their socks on right - while others do not care if their socks are not on perfectly well and just continue life. Some children kick and shout because of anger if someone takes their toy without asking, while others might feel sad and shed a couple of tears. All children have their personal measurements of how strongly they feel about things and how they react and handle those feelings.

Being able to recognize own as well as other people's emotions, name emotions, and cope with emotions are extremely important skills when children start having friendships. Bonding with other children and playing nicely together requires multiple skills and emotional skills are one of them.

So please, take this topic with you and let children discover the world of emotions! With theme-based lesson plans, you can get ready for an emotion-packed adventure!

Example of an emotions theme-based lesson plan

1. Name your emotions

Lesson plans and goals

• To promote emotional intelligence
• To help to build better relationships
• To build social and emotional skills
• To support well-being and mental health
• To help children to understand their emotions
• To support children's self-regulation
• To support children's problem-solving skills

Get the full lesson plan from here !

Why theme-based lessons?

Theme-based lessons make learning engaging and meaningful for children. By exploring a central theme, children can see how different subjects are connected, participate in hands-on activities, and develop their language, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Why the theme about children themselves is important? Why is it important for children to learn what makes them (and their peers) special and unique?

It is crystal clear: every child is important, unique, good, loved, and special the way they are. This theme is all about celebrating the magic of children! Children will get to have a joyful journey that celebrates everyone's individuality and personal self-expression.

Through the playful activities, children will delve into the captivating world of names, empowering the children to embrace their unique identities with pride and enthusiasm. These activities have been thoughtfully curated to nurture a strong sense of belonging, foster name-recognition skills, ignite creativity, and foster meaningful connections among the children.

Kindiedays Theme-based lesson plans

Theme-based lessons make learning engaging and meaningful for children. By exploring a central theme, children can see how different subjects are connected, participate in hands-on activities, and develop their language, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Themes provide context for learning, allowing children to relate new information to their own experiences. This fosters motivation, active participation, and a deeper understanding of the subject matter, laying a strong foundation for future learning.

The Lessons are also connected to 5 learning areas and their objectives derived from the Finnish National Curriculum. However, the learning areas and objectives are often similar to other international curriculums and can easily be used in any Early Learning Center.

Example of an All about me -themed lesson plan

1. Children's personal histories: My life story -collage

Encouraging children to share their own stories, preferences, likes, and dreams helps the class to create an atmosphere where children learn to respect others' choices, rejoice in their friend's individuality, and understand one another.

Activity steps

1. The educator gathers all children who participate in the activity together, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. (Having a small group of children at a time makes the activity time smoother.) Play a song that suits the theme, for example, and an introduction song that repeats everyone's name: "Hello hello Stella, come and play with us! Hello hello Max, come and play with us! ..."

2. The teacher introduces an exciting activity, explaining that the children will have the opportunity to create a personalized poster showcasing their favorite things.

3. Each child is provided with magazines and newspapers. Children can look for pictures that they think are nice and that represent their individual interests, hobbies, preferences, and likes.

Why the theme animals?

Some children have pets and the possibility to learn about animals at home, but some do not. According to research, having animals at home has benefits for children's development. For young children, pet attachment can prevent depressive symptoms. There's also research about the companionship of animals saying that spending time with animals can increase a child’s self-esteem and promote a child’s cognitive development.

Therefore, no need to explain why the theme 'animals' is important in early childhood education. Especially those children who do not have pets or do not see animals very often, need to have the possibility to learn about animals at least. Through learning activities, some children may also overcome their own fear of certain animals or insects. Children learn to respect different kind of animals and their living environment through play and playful activities.

Animals are also very interesting! They make incredible sounds, and they come in all the colors of the rainbow, some are tiny while others are huge, some are awake at night and some sleep the entire winter! Animal theme has a LOT to discover and surely all children find some animals they fall in love with.

Get a preview of a lesson plan here!

Theme-based lesson plans

Theme-based lessons make learning engaging and meaningful for children. By exploring a central theme, children can see how different subjects are connected, participate in hands-on activities, and develop their language, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Themes provide context for learning, allowing children to relate new information to their own experiences. This fosters motivation, active participation, and a deeper understanding of the subject matter, laying a strong foundation for future learning.

The Lessons are also connected to 5 learning areas and their objectives derived from the Finnish National Curriculum. However, the learning areas and objectives are often similar to other international curriculums and can easily be used in any Early Learning Center.

Examples of two animal-themed lesson plans

1. Butterfly life cycle

Children possess an innate curiosity and an eagerness to explore and learn about their
environment. Among insects, the life cycle of a butterfly is considered one of the most
enchanting transformations, and it is fascinating for children to discover and understand.

Lesson focus and goals