Published annually by the Children's Ombudsman's office, this year's Child Barometer zoomed in on play, asking six and seven-year-olds what they like about preschool.
The most boring things in preschool, based on the kids' responses, are assignments, subjects, guided activities, as well as resting time.
Boys are more likely than girls to be bored by guided activities. They also reported more often than girls that they do not receive help in preschool when they need it.
At the same time, nearly one-third of the children said that nothing is boring about preschool.
"Preschool shouldn't be too much like school. It's important to allow time and space for play and activities that children enjoy," Terhi Tuukkanen, a senior researcher and editor of the barometer, said in a statement.
She noted that the importance of play should be recognised and reinforced not only in preschool education but also in primary schools.
The Children's Barometer is based on telephone interviews with over 400 children, conducted last spring. This time, the survey explored children's views on preschool practices and factors that impact how much they enjoy their final year before starting elementary school. The study also delved into learning support.
Since 2016, the Children's Barometer has been conducted every two to three years to map the perspectives of 6–7-year-old children living in Finland.
The All Points North podcast asked why the number of children being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Finland has surged over the past decade.
Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
