Traditional Play in Small Groups in a Kindergarten

Abstract

The purpose of this Bachelor’s thesis was to improve my professional development as a kindergarten teacher and early childhood education professional. The development task was to improve small group activities, especially Teddy Bear Math and traditional play. I ended up creating traditional play cards, that combines math and play, for myself and the use of the daycare I worked in. Sharing the expertise other daycares, afternoon clubs and preschools could also benefit using the result of this development work. These traditional play cards teach the children traditional games in a fun and pedagogical way. I ended up doing the cards because I played these games when I was a child and felt that these would be a great small group activity for our group and something that I feel is important to preserve.

The theoretical framework includes Early Childhood pedagogy, Early Childhood Education Law, Early childhood education and care, and the Basics of the Early Childhood Education Plan, as well as traditional play. The methods used in my thesis are learning diary and the structured observation, and the qualitative analysis method. The theories and methods used supported my learning and my thesis process by making me see what needed to be improved, to decide what I wanted to observe on and by helping me to see the occurring themes in my diary.

Key results indicate that the traditional games combined with math are a pedagogical addition into our small group activities and the children like to participate in them. The outcome of this thesis is that I managed to improve small group activities, myself as a kindergarten teacher and to create a product that is ready to be used. I developed my listening skills, my team members skills and my pedagogical skills. As a result of this thesis process, I am now more professionally and pedagogically creative and confident kindergarten teacher.