AI is turning knowledge and routine skills into commodities. What will matter for today's toddlers is adaptability, resilience and flexible thinking, skills rooted in executive function, play and emotional learning in the early years.

At HEI Schools Saigon Central, the classroom is a child's "third teacher". Research from the University of Salford, and five design principles covering light, sound, air, child-sized spaces and safe sightlines, show how a space can quietly teach every day.

Research by Ryan and Deci (2000) on Self-Determination Theory has shown that satisfying basic psychological needs, including autonomy and competence, is the core catalyst for dopamine production. This neurotransmitter not only sparks curiosity and an intrinsic passion for learning, but also drives deep focus, consolidates long-term memory, and shapes perseverance in young children.

This strategy of delaying literacy is by no means a form of neglect or a lack of direction. On the contrary, it is a carefully considered educational approach built upon profound research in developmental psychology and neuroscience. Nordic educators understand that if we want a tree to grow tall and resilient in its later stages, the early years must be spent focusing on nurturing the roots, not forcing the flowers to bloom.

I have a friend who lectures at university, and he is a fascinating man. When he lived in Vietnam, he saw Western education as the light at the end of the tunnel: modern, advanced, civilised and deeply practical. Bring it over wholesale, he thought, and Vietnam would surely rise like a tiger. Then he settled and began teaching in Australia, and his view flipped completely: "The kids here can't do maths, they can't read a question properly, and all they're good at is… smiling

In recent years, the presence of digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions has become a familiar part of family life. Even at preschool age, many children can operate these digital devices with ease.

if the school-hunting journey revolves solely around whether a program is "monolingual or bilingual," a subtle misunderstanding easily creeps in. English becomes the center of attention, while the element that truly belongs at the center is the child's learning state—their joy, curiosity, sense of being understood, and the "I can do it" confidence.

In children's play and activities, the desire to be the “winner” is a universal phenomenon. Children often display intense excitement when they win and clear disappointment when they lose.

if a child is getting acquainted with English, the most realistic goal in the initial stage is not to “speak perfectly,” but to “dare to speak.”

In the landscape of modern education, a preschool is far more than a place of care; it is a child’s first "Learning Society." It represents the inaugural space where a child steps beyond the family circle to discover their place within a broader community