Play

Summary

The Finnish approach to early childhood education emphasizes the value of play as an essential element of both child development and learning. Rather than merely playing to learn, children learn through play, engaging with their environment, peers, and discovering concepts like natural sciences, mathematics, societal rules, and conflict resolution. Teachers play a supportive role in these explorations, offering structured time for play in the daily schedule. This approach, from non-verbal play to rule-based games, promotes learning through everyday interactions and experiences, making play a vital and respected part of early education.

Takeaways

• 😀 Play is a core element in Finnish early childhood education, seen as essential for both development and well-being.
• 😀 Children learn not only by being taught but by engaging in play, which helps them explore and understand the world.
• 😀 Play allows children to investigate various topics, including natural sciences, mathematics, and societal roles.
• 😀 Through play, children develop social skills, such as conflict resolution, negotiation, and understanding hierarchies.
• 😀 Finnish early childhood education values play as a natural part of childhood, not just as a tool for learning.
• 😀 Teachers play an important role in supporting and guiding children’s playful explorations throughout their development.
• 😀 The educational system integrates ample playtime into the daily schedule, from the youngest children to preschoolers.
• 😀 Play is not only an activity but also a way for children to engage with their environment and learn about themselves.
• 😀 Through play, children learn both practical skills (e.g., cooking or shopping) and abstract concepts (e.g., gravity or space).
• 😀 Playtime evolves as children grow, starting from non-verbal play to more structured, rule-based activities in later stages.
• 😀 The importance of play is reflected in the structure of Finnish early childhood education, which intentionally allocates time for it in daily routines.

Q & A

What is the key concept that describes Finnish early childhood education?

The key concept is 'play.' Finnish early childhood education emphasizes play as both a natural part of being a child and as an essential method for learning.

How does Finnish early childhood education view play?

Play is valued as an integral part of childhood and is seen as essential for children's wellbeing. It is not just a means to an end but an important activity in itself.

What does 'learning by playing' mean in the context of Finnish early childhood education?

'Learning by playing' refers to the idea that children learn through their interactions during play. They explore and discover concepts related to various subjects such as natural sciences, mathematics, and social roles while engaging in playful activities.

What kinds of topics do children explore through play in Finnish early childhood education?

Children explore topics such as natural sciences, including space and gravity, mathematics, and societal roles. They also learn about everyday activities like shopping and cooking, as well as family and neighborhood dynamics.

How does play contribute to children's understanding of society and relationships?

Play helps children understand social roles, hierarchies, and relationships. They learn conflict resolution, negotiation, and how to navigate social situations, all of which are essential life skills.

How does the structure of the Finnish early childhood education system support play?

The daily structure in Finnish early childhood education includes dedicated time for play. This time is planned into daily timetables, allowing children, from the youngest to preschoolers, to engage in play regularly.

What is the role of teachers in supporting play in Finnish early childhood education?

Teachers are responsible for supporting and guiding children in their playful explorations. They assist children as they engage in play, whether it's non-verbal or involves more complex rules and interactions.

How does play evolve as children grow in Finnish early childhood education?

As children grow older, their play evolves from more non-verbal interactions, typically involving objects, to more structured play with rules and complex social dynamics. This progression helps children learn increasingly sophisticated concepts.

What kind of play is emphasized for younger children in early childhood education?

For younger children, play is often more non-verbal and focused on interacting with objects, other children, and practitioners. This stage of play is more exploratory and sensory.

Why is play considered essential for children's wellbeing in Finnish early childhood education?

Play is considered essential for children's wellbeing because it promotes emotional, social, and cognitive development. It provides children with opportunities to explore their identity and the world around them in a safe and supportive environment.