Sharing and promoting best practices and new ideas: IT thinking for pre-schoolers

Summary

The project successfully combined international expertise to create an innovative methodology for developing computational thinking in pre-schools. By blending a practical handbook in three languages with intensive experiential training, it alleviated kindergarten teachers' anxieties about digital technologies. The final outputs merge coding with nature and maths. The project proved that digital education can be introduced early, playfully, inclusively, and with a lasting community-wide impact.

“Cooperation brought us a huge diversity of experiences. Our materials remove teachers' fear of new technologies and show how to develop children's digital skills comprehensively and playfully.”

Topic(s) addressed

The project fully focused on integrating digital education into early childhood education and modernising kindergarten curricula. The main theme was the development of computational and algorithmic thinking and digital competences using robotic tools. A key aspect was the innovative teaching approach, which did not isolate digital skills but naturally connected them with other fields – nature exploration, pre-mathematical concepts, fine motor skills, and logical reasoning. Inclusion was also a significant topic; the teaching methods accommodated children with special educational needs and those from multilingual backgrounds, thereby ensuring equal access to high-quality digital learning for all children. 

Target group(s)  

• Pre-school children 
• 12 core educators, and 
• ~100 regional kindergarten teachers

Methodologies used

Innovation lies in multidisciplinary approaches combining IT thinking with nature and maths. Children take an active role in the learning process by programming with hands-on puzzle pieces and command cards. The method fosters the development of key competences (problem-solving, digital skills, positive attitudes) and uses formative assessment to track individual progress during play. It naturally links formal, non-formal and informal learning by connecting daily kindergarten classes with outdoor activities and the sharing of activities at home. Focused on inclusion, participation and cooperation, it includes children with special needs and those from different linguistic backgrounds. Cooperation with external stakeholders ensured wider impact. 

Innovation environment

The project transformed classrooms into active learning ecosystems in which the organisation enabled innovation. By providing robotic tools and training, we built a positive organisational climate that encourages teachers to experiment without fear of technology.  

Cross-sectoral cooperation flourished as we opened our learning environments to external regional stakeholders, parents during open days, and local action groups. 

Teachers’ role

Teachers in the project stopped being mere transmitters of information and became active co-creators and innovators. Educators from both countries participated equally in creating the handbook and worksheets. The project significantly boosted their professional confidence in ICT and dispelled their concerns about teaching technology-related topics. Through peer learning, teachers shared experiences across partner organisations and beyond. The trained educators subsequently led interactive seminars for nearly 100 colleagues from regional schools. They now act as multipliers of digital education, changing the approach to teaching in their own institutions and inspiring other teachers within the wider educational community.

Impact and output

The project achieved a profound and measurable impact on all identified target groups. For the primary target group (pre-school children), it transformed them from passive tech consumers into active, critical thinkers. For the second target group (teachers), over 12 core educators underwent international training and 100 regional teachers gained robotics skills, resulting in lasting improvements to schools’ ICT curricula. The tangible output is a handbook with 25 worksheets in three languages. A significant spill-over effect extended to other target groups, including parents during open days and dozens of local organisations participating in regional seminars, fostering a supportive community environment for early digital learning. 

Learn more about the project