Proactivity in Vantaa's schools and daycare centers

Proactivity is an operating model, based on research data, that boosts positive behavior in schools and daycare centers. Vantaa is the first big city that is systematically introducing the operating model into the entire city's early childhood education and instruction. The activities in Vantaa entail altogether 23,500 children in daycare centers and schools in the 2024–2025 school year.

ProKoulu (“ProSchool”) and ProSkola

Twenty-two Finnish-language elementary schools in Vantaa participate in ProKoulu activities in the 2024–2025 school year. Meanwhile, the ProSkola operating model is adopted by three Swedish-language elementary schools. Proactivity in Vantaa affects approximately 12,000 students in basic education.

ProVaka and ProSmå

All the City of Vantaa’s 134 daycare centers participate in early childhood education's Proactivity. In Finnish-language early childhood education, the activity is called ProVaka and in Swedish, ProSmå. Approximately 11,500 children in Vantaa participate in early childhood education's Proactivity.

Succeeding as a group is very motivating for both children and adults.

Daycare center director Johanna Ahokas

2024 ProSeminaari (“ProSeminar”) to be held in Vantaa

The international 2024 ProSeminaari (“ProSeminar”) will take place in Vantaa on November 14–15. The seminar will present the very latest international and Finnish research data and practices with which municipalities have managed to make positive changes in the everyday life of schools and daycare centers.

The event, arranged by Niilo Mäki Institute and the City of Vantaa, is targeted at those already conducting Pro development work and at those that are interested in it.

Positiivisesti Ryhmässä Oppiva (“Positive learning in a group”)

The development of Proactivity was financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and conducted in cooperation with Eastern Finland and Jyväskylä universities and Niilo Mäki Institute. The abbreviation Pro comes from the Finnish words “positiivisesti ryhmässä oppiva,” which could be translated as “positive learning in a group.”

The schools and daycare centers participating in Proactivity teach the children positive manners and social skills by giving the children positive feedback on and rewarding them for adhering to instructions together agreed on.

Proactivity increases the schools and daycare centers’ classroom discipline and everyday flexibility, as well as reduces behavioral problems.