From 14 to 16 January 2026, an international experience exchange event took place in Riga as part of the Nordplus Junior program project "Nordic-Baltic Cooperation for the Development of Critical Thinking in Preschool". It was attended by pre-school education professionals from Latvia and Sweden, with a particular focus on cooperation between Riga and Gothenburg.
The objective of the study visit was to promote professional dialogue and exchange of experience on the development of critical thinking, digital competence, and media literacy in preschool education, as well as to introduce colleagues to the use of modern, meaningful digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools, in their work with pre-school children.
Over three days, Swedish preschool teachers from Gothenburg visited several preschool educational institutions in Riga – Riga Preschool No. 182, Riga Preschool No. 224, and Riga Bolderāja Preschool. During the visits, participants observed the learning process in preschool groups, paying attention to the development of critical thinking in everyday activities, the targeted use of educational robots and digital tools, and the integration of media literacy elements into the education of preschool children.
Special attention was paid to how digital technologies and AI solutions can become practical support for teachers in the learning process, while promoting children's thinking, curiosity, and ability to analyse information at an early age. The discussions emphasised that the use of technology in preschool is not an end in itself, but rather a tool for providing higher-quality education that is appropriate for the child's development.
The event featured thematic presentations on the preschool education systems in Latvia and Sweden, regulatory frameworks, professional cooperation between teachers, parental involvement, and the promotion of sustainable thinking in preschool, including the experience of eco-schools. The experiences shared by our colleagues in Gothenburg allowed us to compare approaches in different countries, identify common values and challenges, and highlight new opportunities for development.
At the end of the visit, a hybrid meeting was held at the Town Hall with partners from Latvia, Sweden, Estonia, and Lithuania, where future cooperation, project development, and the preparation of a new joint project application for the Nordplus Junior program were discussed. The discussions emphasised the importance of international cooperation in the development of high-quality preschool education, as well as the need to jointly seek sustainable solutions for strengthening digital skills and critical thinking in early childhood.
This type of partnership between Riga and Gothenburg confirms that international exchange of experience is an essential resource for improving the quality of education, allowing teachers to learn from each other, introduce innovative solutions, and create a preschool education environment for children that is fit for the future.
Information was prepared by Ilze Spunde, Riga City Council Education, Culture and Sport Department Financial administration International and Investment Project Division Project Manager, ilze.spunde@riga.lv