The CREATECH project proposes a fresh approach to early childhood education by using cultural heritage as a foundation for creative learning. Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, CREATECH brings together partners from Finland, Italy, Spain, and Serbia, including The Association of Cultural Heritage Education of Finland, HARP Heritage Art Research Project, Fundación SM, KulturAll, and INTO SCHOOL.
CREATECH trains kindergarten teachers from the participating countries to incorporate cultural heritage into Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) using a multisensory approach. In September, participants gathered in Fontecchio, Italy, where they drew inspiration from the town’s rich cultural setting and took part in a unique international training event emphasizing the role of cultural heritage and creative expression in early learning.
The project integrates cutting-edge digital tools such as 360° cameras and iPads, enabling participants to create accessible digital exhibitions internationally. These tools allow children and educators to virtually explore historical and cultural sites, offering an interactive and immersive learning experience.
One participant reflected on the power of this combined approach: “We already know from experience that heritage education and creative expression are a perfect match for multidisciplinary learning. This approach supports the development of children’s key competencies. CREATECH will help us expand our transmedia heritage education to early childhood education.”
For The Association of Cultural Heritage Education of Finland, this project is a significant milestone. “This is our first project in ECEC, so we are taking a leap into the unknown, but we’re doing it with an open mind and eagerness to learn”. The project has also brought valuable insights: “Our new partners in CREATECH have provided fresh perspectives and expertise in heritage education research”, said Kati Nurmi, Project Manager at ACHEF.
CREATECH is about more than just education; it’s also about building meaningful connections. Reflecting on an exercise where all participants in the training event in Italy shared with others an important heritage item or story, one attendee shared a moving experience: “It felt like we had known each other forever, sharing personal stories. That moment was a key for me – where strangers come together and reveal the most precious parts of themselves.” At the heart of CREATECH is the transmedia heritage education approach, which emphasizes the use of all senses and various forms of expression – such as sounds, images and stories – in helping children engage with cultural heritage. This immersive learning process fosters not only a deeper connection with their heritage but also nurtures creative and critical thinking skills.
By embedding cultural heritage into the fabric of early childhood education, CREATECH highlights its potential to inspire creativity, promote inclusion, and connect communities. The project’s international scope enables cross-cultural exchanges between teachers, enriching the educational impact across participating countries. The ultimate goal of CREATECH is to reshape early childhood education, by empowering the next generation to appreciate their cultural roots, at the same time approaching the future with creativity and confidence.
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