Lpfö 18: Understanding the Swedish preschool curriculum

The Lpfö 18 is Sweden’s national curriculum for the preschool, establishing the statutory goals and guidelines for early childhood education and care. Administered by Skolverket (Sweden), the national agency for education, this framework guides educators in fostering democratic values, holistic development, and play-based learning for young children.

Under this system, the preschool, or förskola, is viewed as the first step of the lifelong learning process. Instead of prioritizing rote academics, Swedish early childhood education relies on democratic play Sweden style, where children are active participants in their learning environment. This approach ensures that care, development, and academic learning form a coherent whole.

Core values of the Sweden preschool curriculum

At the heart of the national curriculum are fundamental democratic values. The education in the förskola must lay the foundation for children to understand and practice democracy in their daily life. Skolverket outlines specific norms and values that include gender equality, empathy, solidarity, and respect for all living things.

Rather than being taught in isolation, these values are integrated into daily play and routines. For example, children participate in group discussions to decide what projects they will explore, which builds an early understanding of consensus and listening to others. This emphasis on children’s agency is a defining characteristic of the Swedish model. Educators ensure that boys and girls have equal opportunities to explore all types of play, materials, and learning areas without gender-based restrictions.

The seven curriculum areas of Lpfö 18

The Lpfö 18 is organized into several essential learning areas rather than rigid subjects. Educators design environments and projects that cross these areas naturally during the day:

• Norms and Values (Normer och värden): Fosters respect, empathy, equality, and care for both other people and the natural environment. Children learn to value differences and collaborate constructively.
• Language and Communication (Språk och kommunikation): Encourages speaking, vocabulary, active listening, and an early interest in written language, reading, and digital media.
• Mathematics (Matematik): Explores spatial concepts, patterns, numbers, measuring, sorting, and simple logical reasoning through hands-on materials rather than paper exercises.
• Natural Science and Technology (Naturvetenskap och teknik): Cultivates curiosity about natural cycles, living systems, physical processes, and simple tools. It encourages observation of physical reactions in daily life.
• Motor Skills and Physical Development (Kroppsuppfattning och motorik): Supports physical coordination, movement, healthy habits, and body perception, emphasizing outdoor active play daily.
• Aesthetic Expressions (Estetiska uttrycksformer): Promotes creative exploration through arts, crafts, drama, music, and dance, allowing children to communicate their ideas in multiple forms.
• Children’s Participation and Influence (Barns delaktighet och inflytande): Encourages kids to express their opinions, make choices, and co-design their school day, fostering early civic awareness.

Educators plan projects that encompass several areas at once. A nature walk might touch on science, physical development, and language as children observe and discuss seasonal changes in the Swedish landscape.

Integrating child-led play and learning

Swedish educators use play as the primary vehicle for learning. Play is not seen as a break from education, but rather as the exact context where learning happens. Through peer play, children learn conflict resolution, problem-solving, and communication.

For teachers and parents looking to support these goals, curated resources can help. Superbuddy provides a curated library of printable resources, including lesson plans and tasksheets designed for children aged 2 to 6. These materials are organized across five learning pillars, such as Language and Literacy and Early Numeracy, which align neatly with Lpfö 18 goals.

These resource structures are discussed in our Lpfö 18 framework alignment guide, which offers detailed mapping for early years teachers. Teachers can browse activities that align with Swedish early learning goals, ensuring that classroom preparation is smooth and effective. Educators can find materials by browsing the available preschool resources to select tasksheets that fit their current project theme.