Basics of Early Childhood Education (summer edition) (5 cr)

Objective

The students are familiar with the legislation in early childhood education, the documents guiding early childhood education and the service system. The students understand the overall planning of activities guided by the basics of the Early Childhood Education Plan. The students are familiar with the quality and assessment related factors of early childhood education.

Content

The intrinsic values of early childhood education. The guiding documents in early childhood education and the service system. The basics of early childhood education, the overall planning of activities, learning environments,
pedagogical documentation and evaluation. Theories and learning concepts of the child's learning.
Multiprofessionalism and expertise of the Bachelor of Social Services in early childhood education.
The operating culture of early childhood education. Alternative pedagogies.

Location and time

The course is primarily studied online, but the group exam will take place at the Myllypuro campus on August 20th from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.

The mandatory lectures (2) will be held on
June 3rd from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Zoom) Orientation lecture, Basics of the Curriculum, Act on ECEC, Values, Conception of the child and learning

June 11th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Zoom) Participatory pedagogy and play in central approach in ECEC

Group exam in the Myllypuro campus on August 20th from 9:00 am to 11.30 am.

If you are unable to attend the lecture due to a mandatory reason, please contact the course instructor as soon as possible.

Materials

- Act on Early Childhood Education and Care. https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2018/20180540
- Early childhood education curriculum 2022. Finnish National Agency of Education.
- Guidelines and recommendations for evaluating the quality of early childhood education and care. https://www.karvi.fi/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/documents/KARVI_Perusteet-ja-suositukset_web.pdf
- Lecture materials and independently studied materials on Moodle

Recommended learning materials:
Empowering Early Childhood Education and Care — The Playful, Participating and Healthy Child. 2024. Kangas, J., Lastikka, A-L & Karlsson, L.

All materials are available in both English and Finnish

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures (2), group discussion activities, different kinds of assignments, group exam.

The course is primarily taught in English, but some tasks and the exam can also be done in Finnish.

Exam schedules

Group exam in the Myllypuro campus on August 20th from 9:00 am to 11.30 am.

Re-exams will be informed later.

Student workload

5x 27h = 135 h

Further information

The course is primarily studied online, but the group exam will take place at the Myllypuro campus on August 20th from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.

The mandatory lectures (2) will be held on
June 3rd from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Zoom) Orientation lecture, Basics of the Curriculum, Act on ECEC, Values, Conception of the child and learning

June 11th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Zoom) Participatory pedagogy and play in central approach in ECEC

Group exam in the Myllypuro campus on August 20th from 9:00 am to 11.30 am.

If you are unable to attend the lecture due to a mandatory reason, please contact the course instructor as soon as possible.

RPL-application (recongnition of prior learning): Leena Korhonen. RPL application must be done before enrolling the course. If you have any further questions concerning RPL please contact the AHOT teacher of the course

The course is primarily taught in English, but some tasks and the exam can also be done in Finnish.

Main of the course will be studied independently. You need to book time for the assignments. Lectures will include group tasks.

In case student has a decision on special support arrangements affecting the course student needs to contact the teacher in charge right after enrollment period.

The teacher has the right to assign additional tasks to a student, e.g., due to absences, for pedagogical reasons.

At the beginning of the course, the teacher will provide guidelines on the use of AI. Using AI in assignments where it is explicitly prohibited constitutes academic misconduct. Similarly, insufficient citation of AI use is also considered misconduct.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

See the curriculum attachment.
The course instructor will specify the evaluation criteria in the beginning of the course.

Assessment methods and criteria

Group exam 60 %, evaluation 1-5
assignment (individual) 40 %, evaluation 1-5
Evaluation is based on the study units objectives and contents.
Assessment criteria see curriculum appendix.
The teacher specifies the assessment criteria at the beginning of the course.