A1 Journal article (refereed)
How educators commit to enhancing children’s participation in early childhood education pedagogical plans (2022)


Heikka, J., Kettukangas, T., Turja, L., & Heiskanen, N. (2022). How educators commit to enhancing children’s participation in early childhood education pedagogical plans. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 12(1), Article a1170. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v12i1.1170


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Heikka, Johanna; Kettukangas, Titta; Turja, Leena; Heiskanen, Nina

Journal or series: South African Journal of Childhood Education

ISSN: 2223-7674

eISSN: 2223-7682

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 19/08/2022

Volume: 12

Issue number: 1

Article number: a1170

Publisher: AOSIS Publishing

Publication country: South Africa

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v12i1.1170

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83630


Abstract

Background: This is a descriptive study of children’s participation plans in early childhood education (ECE) settings in Finland. The study adopted a multidimensional approach to find out how practices of children’s participation were conceived in pedagogical plans made by ECE staff, representing a focus that is rare in the existing body of research.

Aim: Aim of the study was to investigate educators’ commitments to enhancing children’s participation in pedagogical practices in their ECE settings.

Setting: Ten centre-based plans for children’s participation composed by ECE staff at ECE centres were selected for the document data in this study.

Methods: This study employs the categorisation of the prerequisites and dimensions of children’s participation in deductive qualitative content analysis (Turja 2017).

Results: Results of the analysis concludes that in early childhood education plans, there were comprehensive notions of prerequisites for participation. However, the study indicates that the level of participation varied between plans for different activities; it was highest in play and limited in terms of time and effect in other pedagogical and caregiving activities.

Conclusion: Understanding the prerequisites and dimensions of children’s participation is fundamental for planning and enacting participative pedagogy in child groups at ECE centres. In conclusion, this study suggests how to support ECE staff in interpreting and implementing children’s participation in early childhood education.


Keywords: early childhood education and care; early childhood education and care teachers; pedagogical planning; early childhood education plans; social inclusion

Free keywords: children’s participation; early childhood education; educators; pedagogical plans; pedagogy; participation practices; prerequisites for participation


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2024-12-10 at 14:30