Bilingual preschool: Our method and inspiration

We are a bilingual preschool where the children encounter both Swedish-speaking and English-/French-speaking educators within their own groups. By consistently listening to Swedish and English or French, the children quickly develop an understanding of both languages. Approximately half of the preschool's educators are English-/French-speaking, and all educators use Swedish/English/French with the children according to the method "one educator - one language".

Based on the goals of the curriculum, we support all children's home languages. Together with the children, educators use simple greeting phrases, counting rhymes, and songs in all languages spoken in the group.

Educators plan language-stimulating activities based on the Bornholm model and Jolly Phonics or Alpha methods. We also use a lot of singing and music. Additionally, we use TAKK, sign language as an alternative and complementary communication method.

We are inspired by both Reggio Emilia and Maria Montessori's thoughts. We believe that children have a hundred languages and that they should have the opportunity to express themselves in various ways through creativity, play, and experimentation.

We use educational documentation and regularly reflect together with the children. Our classrooms have clear documentation displayed about the children's learning and our various projects.