Following yesterday’s topic on Finland, today I would like to introduce Sweden’s approach to early childhood education. Sweden holds a special place in my professional journey, as it is one of the countries I had the privilege of working with most closely. Many remarkable people I met there remain unforgettable to this day.Sweden’s early childhood education system is built on three core principles: equity, child-centered learning, and holistic development. Learning during the early years places a strong emphasis on play-based education, nurturing social skills, language development, and cognitive abilities, while also encouraging curiosity and independence. Additionally, fostering empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging in society from an early age is a key focus.Parental involvement is another essential element. Sweden offers open preschools (Öppna förskolor), where parents and children can participate in activities together, ensuring that early learning is a collaborative effort between schools and families. Furthermore, government subsidies make high-quality education accessible to all families, with fees adjusted based on household income. Preschools maintain small class sizes, following a curriculum that carefully balances structured learning with creative play.Sweden also provides a flexible childcare system, ensuring that every child, regardless of their family’s circumstances, has access to quality education. To facilitate a smooth transition to primary school, the country has implemented “Inskolning” (gradual adaptation period), allowing children to adjust comfortably before starting formal schooling.More than just academic preparation, Sweden’s early childhood education prioritizes children’s well-being, individuality, and lifelong learning skills, serving as a valuable model with insights that can inspire education systems worldwide.

昨日のフィンランドに続き、今日はスウェーデンの幼児教育についてご紹介したいと思います。スウェーデンは、私が過去の仕事において最も深く関わり、一緒にお仕事をさせていただいた国の一つです。今でも、忘れられない大切な人々がたくさんいます。スウェーデンの幼児教育は、平等、子ども中心の学び、そして全人的な発達という3つの基本理念に基づいているようです。幼児期の学びでは、遊びを通じた学習を大切にし、社会性、言語能力、認知スキルを育むとともに、好奇心や自立心を促します。また、幼少期から共感力、自信、社会への帰属意識を養うことを重視しているのも特徴です。保護者の関与も重要な要素の一つです。スウェーデンでは、親と子が一緒に活動できる**オープン・プリスクール（Öppna förskolor）**が提供され、幼児期の学びが家庭と連携しながら進められます。さらに、政府補助により保育料が所得に応じて設定されているため、高品質な教育がすべての家庭に開かれています。また、少人数制を採用し、体系的な学びと創造的な遊びのバランスを重視したカリキュラムが組まれています。加えて、スウェーデンでは柔軟な保育制度が整備され、どの家庭の子どもも質の高い教育を受けられる環境が確保されています。就学への移行もスムーズに進められるよう、「慣らし保育（Inskolning）」が導入され、小学校へ安心して進めるよう支援が行われています。学力の向上だけでなく、子どもの幸福感や個性、生涯にわたる学びの力を育むことを重視するスウェーデンの幼児教育は、世界の教育に多くの示唆を与えるモデルとなっているようです。

Today, I’d like to share a brief introduction to Finland’s education system. I had the opportunity to work with Finnish professionals in the telecommunications industry, which gave me insights into their approach to learning.

Finland’s education system is built on three core principles: equity, individuality, and lifelong learning. Early childhood education, in particular, is centered around learning through play, fostering children’s social skills, communication abilities, and curiosity. Education begins by helping children develop empathy, independence, and a sense of belonging in society.

Parental involvement is also highly valued. For example, Finland provides maternity packages that encourage early reading habits. Childcare services are designed to be universally accessible and affordable, ensuring high-quality instruction in small class settings. Education is regarded as a fundamental right, adopting an approach that nurtures children’s ability to learn rather than simply delivering knowledge.

Additionally, Finland offers flexible childcare options and income-based tuition support, creating an environment where every child has equal access to quality education.

It’s a system that prioritizes not just academic excellence but also the well-being and holistic development of each child—an approach that holds valuable lessons for all of us.