Curriculum of Preschool Education: Swedish Approach

There is a wide consensus among the education specialists and scientists that early experience is the prime time for children to establish the foundation for future learning and intellectual growth. It is claimed that early intervention affects the development of the brain and lays the base for cognitive, emotional and also moral development. For the brain, a stimulus is a sine qua non! The timing when the brain is exposed to stimuli is extremely critical. The success of Swedish preschool education has been acknowledged by many authorities. The Swedish tradition of preschool emphasizes the importance of play in a child’s development and learning. The interests and needs of children are key components of their education in the preschool curriculum. The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of having preschool education for children to develop their cognitive, affective social and psychomotor characteristics. In this paper cross cultural examples together with the main characteristics of Swedish preschool approach have been presented with a view to inspiring curriculum developers.