HEI PEDAGOGY AND CURRICULUM

HEI Schools is an award-winning international preschool from Finland, rooted in world-leading early childhood research from the University of Helsinki. Our Finnish pedagogy and curriculum view children as active, curious learners, supporting holistic, play-based learning guided by skilled teachers who nurture each child’s individual development.

HEI WAY

These cornerstones guide us in everything we do

CURIOSITY & CREATIVITY

Curiosity is the driving force of learning. Creativity stems from playful exploration. 

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

Children have the right to be heard as well as to be involved in issues affecting their lives. They also have multiple ways of expressing their opinions.

CULTURE OF TRUST

A culture of trust is made of mutual respect, reliance on others, listening and being listened to, predictability, understanding and shared responsiblities.

SUSTAINABLE WAY OF LIVING

Taking care of our communities without compromising the planet we are a part of.

LEARNING EVERYWHERE & ALL THE TIME

Learning is constant, complex, interconnected process that is happening everywhere, all the time.

HEI SCHOOLS' LEARNING AREAS

From the very beginning of life, children are naturally curious, active learners who are eager to explore the world around them. At HEI Schools, our learning areas provide a pedagogical framework that supports and guides children's explorations. Through our carefully designed learning areas, we foster key domains of development with focused objectives and meaningful activities that inspire growth, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

WHY HEI SCHOOLS YANGON?

Research-Based. Future-Ready.
Grounded in current educational research and designed for the world children are growing into.

Complete Learning Approach
From teaching philosophy to daily activities, every detail is thoughtfully designed to support the whole child.

Adaptable & Child-Centered
Personalized to each child’s needs and thoughtfully adapted to local culture and community.

Learning for Life
A holistic approach that nurtures every child’s mind, body, heart, and future.

Learning Through Joy
Engaging experiences that make learning natural, meaningful, and fun.

TRACKING A CHILD'S LEARNING JOURNEY

Our Child’s Learning Journey provides a shared understanding of each child’s learning, growth, and development. It serves as a valuable tool for families and teachers, helping us work together to support and nurture every child's unique learning path.

Through observations and reflections from the child, teachers, and family, we gain a holistic view of each child's progress and experiences. Our Child’s Learning Journey consists of three key tools, each designed with a specific purpose to document, celebrate, and support children's development over time.

AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN

Every child at HEI Schools has an Individual Plan that helps us understand their unique strengths, interests, needs, and goals. Developed in partnership with families, the plan supports meaningful collaboration between teachers and parents to ensure each child receives the guidance and opportunities they need to thrive. It includes essential information, family insights, the child’s voice, and shared agreements that help shape their learning journey.

A FOLLOW-UP TOOL

Our Child Follow-Up Tool helps teachers track each child's growth, strengths, and development across the HEI Schools learning areas. Updated twice a year and shared with families during parent-teacher meetings, it provides valuable insights that support each child's learning journey and future success.

A PORTFOLIO

Each child at HEI Schools creates a personalized portfolio that captures their learning journey through artwork, photographs, stories, and special projects. The portfolio celebrates each child's growth, interests, and achievements, providing meaningful opportunities for children, teachers, and families to reflect on their development. The portfolio stays with the child throughout their time at HEI Schools and is taken home as a cherished keepsake upon graduation.

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS IN HEI EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE

1. Holistic learning and development

At HEI Schools, recognise that each child is a unique individual with their own ideas, thoughts, and needs. We prioritise both physical and emotional wellbeing, nurturing children’s competencies while fostering their participation and autonomy.

We teach them essential self-care skills and help them develop social-emotional abilities, equipping them with the life skills needed for their journey ahead.

2. Sustainable practices

We believe that sustainability should be a core part of education. This means using practices that are lasting and benefit the community.

We focus on including local culture and teaching kindness, as well as encouraging children's connection to nature and their responsibility to care for the environment.

3. The importance of teachers

At HEI Schools, we strongly believe that teachers matter. We recognise teachers as educators and as experts in their field. The effectiveness of our curriculum relies heavily on the skills of the teacher implementing it. Therefore, all our teachers receive comprehensive training in research-based methods and participate in ongoing professional development to ensure high-quality education.

This training helps teachers become confident, independent, and creative professionals who can collaborate and build supportive communities with other educators.

4. Learning everywhere and all the time

Learning goes beyond specific activities or the classroom. Every moment offers a chance for new discoveries!

At HEI Schools, our educators are trained to spot these learning opportunities and make the most of them. We also design our learning spaces with research in mind, knowing that the environment plays a big role in children's daily learning experiences.

5. Play as a way to learn

Play is the most natural way for children to learn and is essential for their development. While playing, children show their growth and often perform beyond their current level because they are eager to learn and willing to take risks.

At HEI Schools, our curriculum and teachers support play and enhance these valuable learning opportunities. We also recognise the importance of free play without adult interference, as it allows children to work together, explore their environment, solve problems, and express their creativity.

6. The social experience of learning

Knowledge is constructed socially, meaning children learn through their interactions and relationships with others. Cultivating a sense of community, peer learning, and fostering meaningful connections with both their peers and trusted adults are essential components of the HEI Schools pedagogy.

Through these interactions, children develop the social-emotional skills necessary for effective self-expression and interpersonal communication in diverse situations.

7. Learning through exploration

Children learn through guided exploration, particularly when engaging in project work. Our inquiry-based learning approach involves a collaborative partnership between children and teachers. Educators are trained to observe children's questions and interests, using these insights to guide the learning process.

This way, children take charge of their learning by choosing project topics, asking questions, and exploring new subjects with their teachers.

8. Transversal skills and learning areas

Lifelong learning begins in the early years. At HEI Schools, we focus on transversal competencies, which encompass knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in various situations.

We teach children to transfer their existing knowledge to new contexts through playful methods, movement, exploration, daily routines, and self-expression, enabling them to become confident learners capable of adapting to and transforming any environment.