The Child at the Center of Early Childhood Education

You are interested in the development and well-being of the child and want to learn to act ethically in case of value conflicts

5 cr

Professional studies

The course deepens your understanding of the child, learning, and the professional role in early childhood education. You will learn how the various regulatory documents influence early childhood education practices and how you can work for the best interests of the child.

Course content:

Your own perspective on the child and learning
The Early Childhood Education Act
Foundations of the early childhood education curriculum
Ethical approaches
Child development
Competencies for social workers in early childhood education

Additional information and registration

Price and registration period: Check on the university's website

Go to the institution's website(Opens in a new tab)

Additional information:

Fields

Health and welfare

Scope

5 cr

Code

SO-2-105

General competencies in focus

Ethical and Sustainable Competencies, Communicative and Social Competency, Local and Global Societal Competencies, Technological competence, Learning and Career-oriented Competencies

Learning outcomes

You can make decisions in the best interest of the child based on legislation, ethical principles, and the and values in guiding documents for early childhood education (Skill)
You respect the uniqueness of the child and have an open and accepting attitude towards children, families, and colleagues. (Attitude)
You can critically examine and act ethically in situations in early childhood education where there is a value conflict. (Knowledge and Skill)
You can explain theories about child development and well-being at an advanced level. (Knowledge)

SDG in focus

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 10: Reduced Inequality

Course literature and other materials can be found on Itslearning.

The academic year 2026-2027

Drugli, M.-B. & Lekhal, R. (2020). Att rusta barn för livet. Studentlitteratur.
Edfelt, D. (2019). Utmaningar i förskolan: att förebygga problemskapande beteende. Gothia kompetens.
Grunderna för planen för småbarnspedagogik 2022, Utbildningsstyrelsen. https://eperusteet.opintopolku.fi/eperusteet-service/api/dokumentit/10097398(Opens in a new tab)
Pulkkinen, L., Ahonen, T. & Ruoppila I. (2023). Ihmisen psykologinen kehitys. Santalahti. – kapitel 2 Varhaislapsuus eller motsvarande material på svenska
Säljö, R. (2014) Lärande i praktiken – Ett sociokulturellt perspektiv. Studentlitteratur.
Other material found on Itslearning.

Organiser

Arcada University of Applied Sciences

Belongs to themes:

Education and learning

Information and features