Early childhood education (3cr)

Evaluation scale

1-5

Objective

Students will understand the significance of assessment in supporting children's growth, development and learning and as a foundation for goal-oriented early childhood education. They will see how the system of primary carers, small group activities and community-based perspective are essential parts of educational partnership. Students will learn to plan, implement and evaluate activities for children.

Content

- Expertise of the educator, partnership in education and child participation
- The system of primary carers as a part of educational partnership
- Possibilities of small group activities
- Collaborative practices in day care centres
- Managing groups and setting limits to children
- Planning, implementation and evaluation of activities for a group of children

Materials

- Heikka, J., Hujala, E. Turja L. 2009. Arvioinnista opiksi. Havainnointi, arviointi ja suunnittelu varhaispedagogiikassa. Printel.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/dloddx

- Kalliala, M. 2008. Kato mua! Kohtaako aikuinen lapsen päiväkodissa? Gaudeamus
Availability: http://tiny.cc/bkoddx

- Kanninen, K.&Sigfrids, A. 2012. Tunne minut. PS-kustannus.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/djoddx

- Mikkola, P. & Nivalainen K. 2009. Lapselle hyvä päivä tänään. Näkökulmia 2010-luvun varhaiskasvatukseen. Pedatieto.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/dioddx

- Varhaiskasvatussuunnitelman perusteet. 2005. Stakes
Availability: http://tiny.cc/8goddx

- Salminen, E. 2011. Omahoitajana päiväkodissa. Pedatieto.
Availability: http://tiny.cc/1foddx

www.kasvunkumppanit.fi
- Lecturer's material

Teaching methods

Lectures, exercises, activity-based assignment, visiting lecturer, reflection

Student workload

Lectures, field visits, learning diary and activity-based assignment 32 h, independent study 46 h.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Grades 1-2: Students recognise and are able to name several methods of assessing children's growth and development in early education. They know how to explain and define the system of primary carers, small group pedagogy and community spirit from the perspective of early education. Students understand the concept of educational partnership. With help of supervision, they know how to plan and implement activities for groups of children and how to evaluate their own and other people's action.
Grades 3-4: Students know how to apply several methods of assessing children's growth, development and learning. They are able to reflect on, compare and gain further knowledge of the system of primary carers, small group pedagogy and community spirit from the perspective of early education. They contemplate what educational partnership involves in early education settings. Students know how to plan and implement a variety of age-specific and child-centred activities for groups of children. They also contemplate and reflect on their own and other people's action in groups and independently.
Grade 5: Students know how to extensively apply a variety of methods of assessing children's growth, development and learning. They are able to analyse, justify and evaluate extensively and critically the system of primary carers, small group pedagogy and community spirit from the perspective of early education. They examine educational partnership in early education settings from multiple perspectives. Students know how to integrate their plans for activities with plans previously defined for groups of children. Students have courage to test their personal limits and to venture out into managing child groups. They are also able to evaluate their own and other people's action critically and from multiple perspectives and know how to realistically develop the action.

Qualifications

No previous studies are required.