New year and new ideas! The year 2024 is still in the beginning, so it is nice to think that all the windows are open and the possibilities of creating awesome learning experiences for children are almost limitless!

How to plan fun, engaging and crazy good events for children throughout the year? → Take your calendar and set the dates early enough.

• Brainstorm with the team

When thinking of activities and events for the coming year, it would be nice if every member of staff had something to look forward to. A good system is to brainstorm together with your team and think of what everyone would like to include for the coming term.

It would be great if everyone said their ideas out loud, this way every staff member gets a chance to participate equally and bring out their interests and strengths.

Maybe one teacher loves spa days and would like to organize a relaxation moment for children with face masks and peaceful music. Another teacher's passion might be puppet theatre and she wants to organize a puppet show for children on Valentine's Day! Whatever the teacher's passion, it can surely be adjusted and added to your preschool's yearly calendar!

The main point in planning should always be the children; their needs, wishes and strengths - but sometimes also teachers can get creative in the area they are most familiar with.

Kindiedays Lesson Plans support all learning areas!

• Ask from families

It is also nice to ask for ideas from the families! Ask what would they like to see you working on during 2024. Perhaps they would be eager to join a theme week of professions? Some parents could prepare a short presentation and tell about their work for the children. Some important learning themes or places to visit might come up too.

• Find out children's wishes

And of course, also children's wishes need to be included! Organize for example a "children's meeting" where you go through the agenda for 2024 and write down ideas that come from children.

Or have a crafting session so that every group makes their "dream board" full of activities and things they would love to have in their preschool/kindergarten.

Perhaps children would love to have a pyjama day? Or go to see a concert? Disco party? Toy day? Children surely are full of ideas once they get to share them.

• Curriculum

Assess past term and point out which learning areas need more effort this term. For example; if the past term was more about art, imagination and creative processes, now emphasize science, logical thinking and natural phenomenons. The main thing is that children get diverse learning experiences from multiple angles, from all the learning areas and that they have an interest in the topics you go through.

Also, take a look at every child's individual learning plan and make a list of what there is to explore, learn and practise next!

Literacy & Numeracy program

• Mark down yearly celebrations

Every season brings also yearly celebrations along, which can be included in your preschool's calendar. Depending on traditions, seasons, and cultures, the traditions may vary between schools a lot. It is a smart idea to combine celebrations from different cultures into your preschool's calendar so that children learn about diversity.

There are also all sorts of funny celebrations that you can include in your preschool activities, depending on the children's interests.

Here are some examples of celebrations in 2024:

January

• International Day of Education (24.1.)
• National Lego Day (28.1.)
• National Puzzle Day (29.1.)

February

• World Radio Day (13th)
• St. Valentine's Day (14th)
• Shrove Tuesday / Mardi Gras (21st)
• International Mother Language Day (21st)

March

• World Wildlife Day (3rd)
• Women's Day (8th)
• World Poetry Day (21st)
• Earth Hour (23rd)
• Easter (31st)

April

• April Fool's Day (1st)
• Eid al-Fitr (10th)
• International Earth Day (22nd)
• International Dance Day (29th)

May

• Labour Day / May Day (1st)
• Mother's Day (14.5.)
• International Day of Families (15th)

June

• Global Running Day (5th)
• International Yoga Day (21st)

"Because if hatred starts with words, peace starts with education. What we learn changes how we view the world and influences how we treat others. Education must therefore be at the heart of our efforts to achieve and maintain world peace."

- Audrey Azoulay / UNESCO Director General

The International Day of Education is celebrated on 24 January 2024. This year UNESCO is stressing the importance of education in friendships skills, co-operation, companionship, mutual respect and other apects that promote overall PEACE.

According to UNESCO the world is seeing violent conflicts with the rise of discrimination, racism and hate speech. An active commitment to peace is more urgent today than ever: Education is central to this endeavor, as underlined by the UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development.

Learning and aiming for peace must be transformative. Education must provide learners with the necessary knowledge, values, attitudes, skills and behaviours to become "friendly agents of peace".

Read the full speech from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Day of Education from here.

Kindiedays theme-based lesson plan: Emotions

How to support peaceful and friendly behaviour in early education?

Education can fight hatred and negativity. In educational settings, it is important to teach children from a very early on how to treat other people. Practising ethical thinking, self-regulation, emotional skills, social competence and respectful behaviour can start with simple things. Also sense of belonging and feeling loved and liked is crucial.

Here are some practical tips from UNICEF on how to teach and support children in early childhood education with some of the most important life skills.

It is the beginning of Spring term 2024, and therefore an excellent time to assess how the past term and year 2023 have been in terms of early childhood education.

Assessing the teaching methods and the accomplished learning targets is very important because the gained information guides you forward during 2024. Pedagogical assessment aims to develop early childhood education and promote children's learning.

How to assess children's learning with technology?

How to assess? What to assess?

There are multiple subjects and angles in early childhood education settings that you can and should assess. Go through these topics by yourself, or even better - with your team. Discuss the questions below and reflect on the past year. Based on the findings from here, it is good to write down some basic guidelines for 2024.

– If and when you find something to improve or process more, mark it down to your notes and include it in future planning.

+ If and when you find something to be proud and happy of, make sure to rejoice and thank your teammates for all the good work. Continue the same way!

• Interaction between educators - children - families

How do educators talk to children? Do children get heard? Do educators take children's ideas and thoughts into account? Can educators notice children's initiatives (verbal and nonverbal) in everyday situations? Is there two-way interaction or do educators talk and decide mostly?

How about the interaction between educators, is it positive, encouraging, and supportive? Do educators give positive and constructive feedback to each other? Are educators familiar with each other?

How do educators interact with families? What kind of channels there are to stay in touch with the families? How can educators share glimpses of the child's day?

• Group atmosphere

Do educators and children have fun together? Do children and educators know each other well? Do children get anxious or restless at some point in the day? Are children and educators aware of group rules? Are the days peaceful or hectic?

• The child's individual learning plan

Do all the children have their individual learning plans? Do the children's needs, strengths, wishes, and interests show in planning and weekly activities?

Staying competitive is crucial in today's dynamic educational landscape. We understand the many challenges you face in providing the best learning environment for young minds. As we embrace a new year of possibilities, Kindiedays Pro is an affordable and interactive program tailored for preschools with the ambition to grow and be successful.

✨ What is Kindiedays Pro?
Kindiedays Pro isn't just a program; it's your gateway to a preschool transformation.  Seamlessly integrating Finnish-style learning principles, expert-led workshops, holistic lesson plans, and digital tools for the entire learning process, Kindiedays Pro ensures your preschool stands at the forefront of innovation.

We lead you through the implementation step by step and support you with mentoring as needed. Expect empowered teachers, engaged families, and joyful child development.

🎉 New Year, New Opportunities - Enjoy 15% Off!
To kickstart your journey, we're offering an exclusive 15% discount, when you contact us before January 31st.

✨ Why Kindiedays for Your Business?

PISA results: Mathematics and reading skills challenging

According to the newest PISA results, student performance in mathematics and reading fell across OECD countries. PISA 2022 is an international test of reading, math, and science administered in 81 countries and education systems to track how 15-year-old students apply their knowledge as they near the end of K-12 and enter postsecondary education or the workforce. The results also show how their academic performance compares to their peers globally. 

What explains the declining PISA results? Covid surely has had an impact, but it cannot be the whole truth. It should also be remembered that PISA measures only certain aspects of learning at a certain age.

What should schools and teachers do differently to get students to learn 21st-century skills in a modern and holistic way? What should parents and homes maybe do differently? How should children and youth change their actions at home and school?

Read further and see how investments in education (financial, pedagogical, human, material, and time resources) are related to student performance, well-being, and equality in education.

The following tips can be converted and used already in early childhood education

The earlier children get oriented with great and stable learning environments and goal-oriented learning habits, the better children prosper in early childhood education, elementary school, and further than that.

How to support children's learning holistically?

According to OECD supporting students in and beyond the classroom is key.