Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, is renowned for integrating the arts into early childhood education. Known as the cultural capital of Jutland, the city fosters creativity through partnerships between kindergartens and local museums, theaters, and artists. Many preschools organize weekly art walks, music sessions with local musicians, or even field trips to ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Educators in Aarhus embrace a holistic approach that blends expressive arts with social-emotional development. Children are given space to experiment with color, movement, and storytelling, which in turn builds confidence, empathy, and communication skills. The city places emphasis on “aesthetic learning processes”—where children learn by doing, feeling, and reflecting. Projects are often child-led, encouraging exploration and imagination rather than rigid instruction. Diversity in expression is celebrated, and children’s creations are regularly exhibited for parents and the public. In Aarhus, the preschool is more than a place for care—it’s a creative atelier where each child is seen as an artist, explorer, and storyteller.

オーフスは「ユトランドの文化首都」としても知られ、芸術と教育を融合させた先進的な幼児教育を展開しています。市内の幼稚園では、美術館や劇場、地元の音楽家、ダンサー、アーティストたちと密接に連携し、創造性と感性を育てる実践的な教育が行われています。たとえば、子どもたちは毎週「アートウォーク」に出かけ、街の芸術作品を観察したり、美術館で実際に制作活動を行ったりします。

こうした芸術的アプローチは、子どもたちの表現力、観察力、共感力の発達を促します。カリキュラムの中には、色や形、音楽、動き、物語など、多様な表現手段を取り入れたプロジェクト活動が組み込まれています。「美的学び（aesthetic learning）」という考え方が根本にあり、子どもたちが「感じること」「動くこと」「考えること」を通じて、主体的に学びに向かうよう導かれています。

作品は保護者や地域の人々にも公開され、子どもの個性や感性が尊重される環境が整っています。オーフスの幼稚園は単なる保育の場ではなく、一人ひとりの子どもがアーティストであり、探究者であり、物語の語り手であることを尊重した創造のアトリエなのです。 デンマーク第二の都市オーフスでは、芸術と幼児教育が深く結びついています。劇場、美術館、音楽家などと提携し、子どもたちは表現活動を通じて感性と社会性を育みます。プロジェクトは子ども主体で進み、創造性と探究心を重視する教育が展開されています。「感じて、動いて、考える」美的学びが保育の核となっています。

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a pioneer in inclusive and multicultural early childhood education. Preschools in this city emphasize social cohesion and democratic participation from a young age. Children are encouraged to express opinions, make choices during group activities, and participate in shaping their daily routines. Outdoor learning is a cornerstone—children often play in forests, parks, and urban green spaces, regardless of the weather. Environmental awareness is taught through hands-on experiences like composting, gardening, and nature walks. Additionally, the city’s international population makes intercultural dialogue a natural part of daily preschool life. Teachers are trained to support children from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and many institutions offer bilingual or multilingual support. The philosophy of “the competent child”—that each child is capable and has agency—is alive and well here. It’s not uncommon to see preschoolers leading their own projects, solving conflicts through peer dialogue, or engaging in local community clean-up events. In Copenhagen, children are not only seen as learners, but as contributors to society from day one.