Helsinki

Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is a leader in multilingual and play-based early childhood education. The city offers public daycare and preschool programs emphasizing Finnish-English or Finnish-Swedish bilingualism, with some institutions including languages such as Russian or Somali. Specific activities include tablet-assisted storytelling, digital puppet shows, and multilingual song circles, designed to strengthen both language and digital literacy. Guided play is central, with projects such as coding basics using apps like Kodarit and Bee-Bots, and virtual nature walks to explore environmental topics. Helsinki collaborates with the University of Helsinki on initiatives like the VOIKO project, which studies the integration of music and language in multilingual settings. Cultural responsiveness is also prioritized, with educators trained to support immigrant families and incorporate diverse traditions into classroom life. With its emphasis on digital pedagogy, language development, and inclusive curriculum design, Helsinki serves as a model for adaptable and innovative early education.

ヘルシンキ フィンランドの首都ヘルシンキは、多言語教育と遊びを通じた学びを重視した幼児教育の先進都市です。公立の保育所や幼稚園では、フィンランド語と英語・スウェーデン語のバイリンガル教育が行われており、一部の施設ではロシア語やソマリ語なども取り入れられています。具体的な活動には、タブレットを使った物語創作、デジタル人形劇、多言語での歌遊びなどが含まれ、言語力とデジタルリテラシーを育みます。ガイド付きの遊びを中心に、KodaritやBee-Botsなどのアプリでのプログラミング体験、バーチャル自然散策なども実施されています。ヘルシンキ大学と連携し、音楽と言語の統合教育「VOIKOプロジェクト」にも参画しています。多文化共生を尊重した教育方針のもと、多様な背景を持つ子どもとその家庭を支援する仕組みが整っています。

🧠 Stockholm

Preschool Education Overview (English) Stockholm’s preschool education system is built on principles of equal access and consistent quality. With over 1,000 public and private preschools, children across the city benefit from a standard level of care and learning. The city embraces digital learning, introducing ICT and STEAM-based activities such as tablet exploration and interactive group projects. Support for immigrant and multilingual children is widespread, with programs designed to promote cultural inclusion and language development. In partnership with Sweden’s national education agencies, Stockholm has established structured training and evaluation systems to ensure pedagogical excellence. Communication with families is prioritized, using digital platforms and parental participation events to build a collaborative relationship between home and school. The city exemplifies a forward-looking, inclusive approach to early childhood education.

Example Activities

• iPad Explorers: Children take photos in town and create digital storybooks around selected themes.
• Parent-Child Hackathon: Joint creative projects involving both children and their parents using digital tools.

Reference:

• Stockholms stad – Preschools in English
• Stockholm City – Preschool and School Overview
• Stockholms stad – Grundskola