A1 Journal article (refereed)
Staff self-assessment of ECEC practices in meeting language diversity in Finland (2024)
Bergroth, M., Harju-Autti, R., & Alisaari, J. (2024). Staff self-assessment of ECEC practices in meeting language diversity in Finland. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 13(1), 42-67. https://doi.org/10.58955/jecer.130031
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Bergroth, Mari; Harju-Autti, Raisa; Alisaari, Jenni
Journal or series: Journal of Early Childhood Education Research
eISSN: 2323-7414
Publication year: 2024
Publication date: 08/02/2024
Volume: 13
Issue number: 1
Pages range: 42-67
Publisher: Suomen varhaiskasvatus
Publication country: Finland
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58955/jecer.130031
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93430
Additional information: Peer-reviewed articles
Abstract
The study examines language aware practices in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Finland. In Finland, the number of citizens with languages other than the national languages is estimated to increase, and population growth is dependent on migration. Children enrolled in ECEC have increasingly diverse language backgrounds. This calls for adjusting pedagogical practices to the needs of multilingual children only starting to familiarise themselves with the language of instruction. The data analysed were part of a national survey. A total of 882 respondents working in ECEC answered the survey. For this study, we concentrated on two open questions: “What kinds of practices do you have to support the language learning of children with an immigration background?” (N = 538) and “What kinds of needs to develop practices have you identified regarding language learning of children with an immigrant background or organising linguistic support?” (N = 509). Qualitative content analysis was used as an analytical approach. Our findings were condensed to a model consisting of six steps of language aware ECEC. The first three steps were well implemented according to the data. However, more attention is still needed to fully support language aware teachers, teams and systems.
Keywords: early childhood education and care; language-aware education; multilingualism; teachers; know-how; pedagogy
Free keywords: language diversity; early childhood education and care; teacher competence; teaching practice
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2024
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1