Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to:
- analyse the value base, aims and underpinning knowledge of early childhood education
- take a child's characteristic ways of acting into account in education
- recognize the significance of inclusion, communality and dialogical interaction in a child's growth, development and learning
- create preconditions for an educational partnership and cooperation

Teaching methods

The course is part of the qualification of an early childhood education teacher (varhaiskasvatuksen opettaja).

Implementation of the course is divided into two parts: 5 ECTS in the autumn term 2020 and 5 ECTS in the spring term 2021.

The lessons and workshops will take place on Tikkurila campus. Attendance requirement at lessons and workshops will be 75% / 100% to achieve the versatile theoretical and practical skills required for an early childhood education teacher.

Laurea's lecturers and experts are responsible for teaching. The course includes individual, paired and small group assignments, working life cooperation, home study and knowledge sharing seminars. Instructions for the assignments will be available at Optima / Canvas workspace.

Location and time

Lessons and workshops on Tikkurila campus. Once you have been approved to the course, you can view the study schedule in your Outlook calendar or in Tuudo oe Pakki. You will find more detailed information about the deadlines at Optima / Canvas not later than two weeks before the course starts.

Learning materials and recommended literature

Information will be available on Optima / Canvas not later than two weeks before the course starts.

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

Autumn term 2020:

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) quality and development project with ECEC professionals. The assignment examines the development recommendations of the National Education Evaluation Center (Karvi 2019), discusses the situation in practice (staff interviews) and reflects on the theory. The task is carried out in group and pair work. The assignment consists of an essay and a presentation of about 15 minutes. The topic will be chosen by the group.

Spring term 2021:

Child observation and parent cooperation task in a kindergarten. Individual work. Essay and child description. The description will be used as a reference in the process of the Child's Individual Curriculum (The Child's VASU) studies during this course.

Important dates

You will find more detailed information about the deadlines at Optima / Canvas not later than two weeks before the course starts.

Content and scheduling

Autumn term 2020:
1 ECTS The key documents
3 ECTS The key concepts
1 ECTS Operating culture and the learning community


Spring term 2020:
2 ECTS Development of the child
3 ECTS Agency of the child and the family in Early Childhood Education and Care

Grading scale

Approved/Failed