Play in Finnish kindergartens an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses

Play is a key aspect of pedagogical practice in Finnish kindergartens, and ECEC practitioners are advised to appropriately guide or take part in playful activities, supporting children’s learning and natural curiosity. This study explores the phenomenon of play from the perspectives of teachers and...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Ravaglia, Martina
Other Authors: Kasvatustieteiden ja psykologian tiedekunta, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Kasvatustieteiden laitos, Department of Education, Jyväskylän yliopisto, University of Jyväskylä
Format: Master's thesis
Language:eng
Published: 2021
Subjects:
Online Access: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76077
_version_ 1826225754334035968
author Ravaglia, Martina
author2 Kasvatustieteiden ja psykologian tiedekunta Faculty of Education and Psychology Kasvatustieteiden laitos Department of Education Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_facet Ravaglia, Martina Kasvatustieteiden ja psykologian tiedekunta Faculty of Education and Psychology Kasvatustieteiden laitos Department of Education Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä Ravaglia, Martina Kasvatustieteiden ja psykologian tiedekunta Faculty of Education and Psychology Kasvatustieteiden laitos Department of Education Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_sort Ravaglia, Martina
datasource_str_mv jyx
description Play is a key aspect of pedagogical practice in Finnish kindergartens, and ECEC practitioners are advised to appropriately guide or take part in playful activities, supporting children’s learning and natural curiosity. This study explores the phenomenon of play from the perspectives of teachers and nurses, as well as from the observations made during the researcher’s internship in a Finnish day-care centre. The participants of this study, six educators, whose working experience in Finnish kindergartens ranged from six months to ten years, filled out a self-reflective open-ended questionnaire in English about their beliefs and experiences on play and playful learning, with children aged three to six. Questionnaire answers and observation notes were examined using inductive Content Analysis. Results illustrate that pedagogical practice draws on active observation of children’s interests and needs and that ECEC practitioners make appropriate use of the environment and of teacher-guided play, to encourage children’s autonomy and initiative-taking. Moreover, participation in children’s play takes shape both as a voluntary intervention of the educator and as a request from children themselves. Finally, educators report considering play as a vehicle for learning, which encompasses all the areas of development, and arranging elaborate and fun playful learning activities, making the most of music and P.E. time. Results are consistent with previous literature findings analysing ECEC play-based pedagogies and intend to contribute to the existing theory on play with concrete instances, and to support ECEC practitioners’ everyday work.
first_indexed 2021-05-31T20:00:56Z
format Pro gradu
free_online_boolean 1
fullrecord [{"key": "dc.contributor.advisor", "value": "Ukkonen-Mikkola, Tuulikki", "language": "", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "advisor", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.author", "value": "Ravaglia, Martina", "language": "", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "author", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.accessioned", "value": "2021-05-31T10:02:18Z", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "accessioned", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.available", "value": "2021-05-31T10:02:18Z", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "available", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.issued", "value": "2021", "language": "", "element": "date", "qualifier": "issued", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.identifier.uri", "value": "https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76077", "language": null, "element": "identifier", "qualifier": "uri", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.abstract", "value": "Play is a key aspect of pedagogical practice in Finnish kindergartens, and ECEC practitioners are advised to appropriately guide or take part in playful activities, supporting children\u2019s learning and natural curiosity. This study explores the phenomenon of play from the perspectives of teachers and nurses, as well as from the observations made during the researcher\u2019s internship in a Finnish day-care centre. \nThe participants of this study, six educators, whose working experience in Finnish kindergartens ranged from six months to ten years, filled out a self-reflective open-ended questionnaire in English about their beliefs and experiences on play and playful learning, with children aged three to six. Questionnaire answers and observation notes were examined using inductive Content Analysis.\nResults illustrate that pedagogical practice draws on active observation of children\u2019s interests and needs and that ECEC practitioners make appropriate use of the environment and of teacher-guided play, to encourage children\u2019s autonomy and initiative-taking. Moreover, participation in children\u2019s play takes shape both as a voluntary intervention of the educator and as a request from children themselves. Finally, educators report considering play as a vehicle for learning, which encompasses all the areas of development, and arranging elaborate and fun playful learning activities, making the most of music and P.E. time. \nResults are consistent with previous literature findings analysing ECEC play-based pedagogies and intend to contribute to the existing theory on play with concrete instances, and to support ECEC practitioners\u2019 everyday work.", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "abstract", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.provenance", "value": "Submitted by Paivi Vuorio (paelvuor@jyu.fi) on 2021-05-31T10:02:17Z\nNo. of bitstreams: 0", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "provenance", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.provenance", "value": "Made available in DSpace on 2021-05-31T10:02:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0\n Previous issue date: 2021", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "provenance", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.extent", "value": "41", "language": "", "element": "format", "qualifier": "extent", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.mimetype", "value": "application/pdf", "language": null, "element": "format", "qualifier": "mimetype", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.language.iso", "value": "eng", "language": null, "element": "language", "qualifier": "iso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights", "value": "In Copyright", "language": "en", "element": "rights", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "playful learning", "language": "", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "pedagogical practice", "language": "", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "educators\u2019 opinions", "language": "", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.title", "value": "Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses", "language": "", "element": "title", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type", "value": "master thesis", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.identifier.urn", "value": "URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202105313320", "language": "", "element": "identifier", "qualifier": "urn", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.ontasot", "value": "Pro gradu -tutkielma", "language": "fi", "element": "type", "qualifier": "ontasot", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.ontasot", "value": "Master\u2019s thesis", "language": "en", "element": "type", "qualifier": "ontasot", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.faculty", "value": "Kasvatustieteiden ja psykologian tiedekunta", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "faculty", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.faculty", "value": "Faculty of Education and Psychology", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "faculty", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.department", "value": "Kasvatustieteiden laitos", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "department", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.department", "value": "Department of Education", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "department", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.organization", "value": "Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n yliopisto", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "organization", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.organization", "value": "University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "organization", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.discipline", "value": "Varhaiskasvatus", "language": "fi", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "discipline", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.discipline", "value": "Early Childhood Education", "language": "en", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "discipline", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "yvv.contractresearch.funding", "value": "0", "language": "", "element": "contractresearch", "qualifier": "funding", "schema": "yvv"}, {"key": "dc.type.coar", "value": "http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_bdcc", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "coar", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.accesslevel", "value": "openAccess", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "accesslevel", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.publication", "value": "masterThesis", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "publication", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.oppiainekoodi", "value": "104", "language": "", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "oppiainekoodi", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "oppiminen", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "leikkiminen", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "varhaiskasvatus", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "lapset (ik\u00e4ryhm\u00e4t)", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "varhaiskasvatuksen opettajat", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "leikit", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "learning", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "playing (children's games)", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "early childhood education and care", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "children (age groups)", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "early childhood education and care teachers", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "plays and games", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.content", "value": "fulltext", "language": null, "element": "format", "qualifier": "content", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.url", "value": "https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "url", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.okm", "value": "G2", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "okm", "schema": "dc"}]
id jyx.123456789_76077
language eng
last_indexed 2025-02-18T10:54:21Z
main_date 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z
main_date_str 2021
online_boolean 1
online_urls_str_mv {"url":"https:\/\/jyx.jyu.fi\/bitstreams\/89971397-e8a8-45b5-b4ec-225f054ce524\/download","text":"URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202105313320.pdf","source":"jyx","mediaType":"application\/pdf"}
publishDate 2021
record_format qdc
source_str_mv jyx
spellingShingle Ravaglia, Martina Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses playful learning pedagogical practice educators’ opinions Varhaiskasvatus Early Childhood Education 104 oppiminen leikkiminen varhaiskasvatus lapset (ikäryhmät) varhaiskasvatuksen opettajat leikit learning playing (children's games) early childhood education and care children (age groups) early childhood education and care teachers plays and games
title Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
title_full Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
title_fullStr Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
title_full_unstemmed Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
title_short Play in Finnish kindergartens
title_sort play in finnish kindergartens an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
title_sub an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
title_txtP Play in Finnish kindergartens : an exploratory study on the pedagogical practices and opinions of teachers and nurses
topic playful learning pedagogical practice educators’ opinions Varhaiskasvatus Early Childhood Education 104 oppiminen leikkiminen varhaiskasvatus lapset (ikäryhmät) varhaiskasvatuksen opettajat leikit learning playing (children's games) early childhood education and care children (age groups) early childhood education and care teachers plays and games
topic_facet 104 Early Childhood Education Varhaiskasvatus children (age groups) early childhood education and care early childhood education and care teachers educators’ opinions lapset (ikäryhmät) learning leikit leikkiminen oppiminen pedagogical practice playful learning playing (children's games) plays and games varhaiskasvatuksen opettajat varhaiskasvatus
url https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/76077 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202105313320
work_keys_str_mv AT ravagliamartina playinfinnishkindergartensanexploratorystudyonthepedagogicalpracticesandopinions