Learning Through Play : A Practical Activity Booklet to Support Cognitive Development in Early Childhood Education
Tamang, Sunita; Maha Marakkalage, Rashmi Nawoda; Hettiarachchige, Chathuranga Kasun (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120934114
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025120934114
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this thesis is to develop a practical activity book that supports children’s cognitive development through play in early childhood education. The beneficiaries of the thesis are the daycare educators at Pilke Pioni, who will be able to use the booklet in daily practice.
The development task involves designing and creating engaging, developmentally appropriate play-based activities that align with the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Early Childhood Education and Care (VASU 2022). The theoretical framework is based on research on play-based learning, cognitive development, and professional early childhood pedagogy.
The thesis uses a co-creation (co-design) approach, involving observation of current practices and iterative feedback from educators to refine the booklet. Key results include a practical, research-informed activity booklet that educators can implement directly. Analysis of the results demonstrates that collaborative development ensures relevance, usability, and alignment with both theory and everyday practice. Recommendations include integrating the booklet into regular daycare routines and using feedback to further develop activity materials.
The development task involves designing and creating engaging, developmentally appropriate play-based activities that align with the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Early Childhood Education and Care (VASU 2022). The theoretical framework is based on research on play-based learning, cognitive development, and professional early childhood pedagogy.
The thesis uses a co-creation (co-design) approach, involving observation of current practices and iterative feedback from educators to refine the booklet. Key results include a practical, research-informed activity booklet that educators can implement directly. Analysis of the results demonstrates that collaborative development ensures relevance, usability, and alignment with both theory and everyday practice. Recommendations include integrating the booklet into regular daycare routines and using feedback to further develop activity materials.