A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Activating creativities by emphasising health and wellbeing : a holistic pedagogical practice from Finland (2022)

Fenyvesi, K., Brownell, C. S., Sinnemäki, J., & Lavicza, Z. (2022). Activating creativities by emphasising health and wellbeing : a holistic pedagogical practice from Finland. In P. Burnard, & M. Loughrey (Eds.), Sculpting New Creativities in Primary Education (pp. 123-145). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003129714-10

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Fenyvesi, Kristóf; Brownell, Christopher S.; Sinnemäki, Jukka; Lavicza, Zsolt

Parent publication: Sculpting New Creativities in Primary Education

Parent publication editors: Burnard, Pamela; Loughrey, Michelle

ISBN: 978-0-367-65496-2

eISBN: 978-1-003-12971-4

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 14/09/2021

Pages range: 123-145

Number of pages in the book: 244

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon, Oxon

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003129714-10

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Abstract

This chapter describes a creative and innovative pedagogical approach that has been developed within the Finnish education system. This approach focuses on the co-authoring and development of primary school learners’ wellbeing, including physical and mental health. We describe this approach using a series of short narratives that centre on the everyday classroom practice of one Finnish teacher, Jukka Sinnemäki. The examples concentrate on the sculpting of the learning process and the environment, and weave together a developmental narrative to highlight the importance of the slow and careful emergence of a classroom learning community that emphasises safety, respect and concern for its members. We describe how the students and their teacher have transformed their school environment to reflect their individual and collective needs, skills, emotional capacities and values. The goal of this creative process is to maximise each of the students’ full potential and support them in finding motivation and joy in learning and life; in short, to flourish. The examples will show how, over a 20-year career, Sinnemäki left traditional school hierarchies behind to focus on sculpting a thriving children’s community of learners, including their physical capacities, personalities and identities.

Keywords: learning; creativity; innovativeness; pedagogy; learning process; learning environment; educational methods; teacher-pupil relationship

Free keywords: STEM education

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 3