Playful learning as a powerful tool in Early Childhood Education and Care setting

Abstract

This thesis consists of a 10-week observation diary, where children between 2 and 5 years old got to play inside an Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings. There were learning environment spaces specially designed for children, focused on the aims for the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Early Childhood and Care, playing activities happened within daycare premises and surrounding areas.

The diary describes goals and activities considering the transversal competences as a base for planning them. A core idea for this work came after discussing the poor or lack of interaction and participation from educators and professionals during children’s play at work and how these could be enhanced through playing. I aim to find out deeper answers and possible problem- solving solutions for my claim. Pedagogical documentation was one of the tools for this Diary thesis. Before starting the project, permissions to the working partner and families were asked to protect the identity of the people involved. At the end of each week, a small conclusion came after the activities were planned and executed, with a variety of results.

The conclusion of my study corroborates that to fill the gap of lack of interaction and participation from adults during children’s play in daycare setting, staff should understand and work together with children to create child-oriented activities and play based learning areas. Play was enhanced and more joyful when learning together adults and kids.