A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Changing Transitions from Early Childhood Education to Primary Education in Finland (2021)

Kangas, J., & Ukkonen-Mikkola, T. (2021). Changing Transitions from Early Childhood Education to Primary Education in Finland. In S. Rutar, D. Felda, M. Rodela, N. Krmac, M. Marovič, & K. Drljić (Eds.), Prehodi v različnih socialnih in izobraževalnih okoljih : Transitions in Different Social and Educational Environments (pp. 59-76). Univerza na Primorskem. Knjižnica Ludus, 30. https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-136-0.59-76

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kangas, Jonna; Ukkonen-Mikkola, Tuulikki

Parent publication: Prehodi v različnih socialnih in izobraževalnih okoljih : Transitions in Different Social and Educational Environments

Parent publication editors: Rutar, Sonja; Felda, Darjo; Rodela, Martina; Krmac, Nina; Marovič, Mateja; Drljić, Karmen

ISBN:  978-961-293-093-6

Journal or series: Knjižnica Ludus

ISSN: 2536-1937

Publication year: 2021

Number in series: 30

Pages range: 59-76

Number of pages in the book: 581

Publisher:  Univerza na Primorskem

Place of Publication:  Koper

Publication country: Slovenia

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-136-0.59-76

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

Finnish early childhood education (ECE) policy has been undergoing a reformation since 2013 under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and Culture and as part of the educational system. Thus, the pedagogical significance in the educational policies has been emphasized more than before. The most recent reform starting at August 2021 starts piloting two-year pre-primary education. Through this the transition process from ECE to primary education in Finland is extended to cover four years of children’s life from 5 to 8 years. In this study we consider the transition process from the perspectives of teacher education and qualifications, organisational and working cultures, learning environment, implementation of curriculum, and assessment and evaluation. We address the view that the threat of schoolification, and test-driven education lingers above the current political transformations and express the conclusion that more holistic evaluation processes should be implemented to perceive the ongoing reformation from wider perspectives.

Keywords: early childhood education and careeducation policy; reforms; school reform; educational systems; 

Free keywords: Finland; early childhood education; education reform

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 0