Supporting Growth and Development in Early Childhood Education (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0 - 5

Content scheduling

Course Content:

1. Inclusive early childhood education
2. Supporting children in early childhood education
3. Multidisciplinary cooperation in early childhood education
4. Working with children and families
5. Exam

Objective

The students will know how to compile a child’s personal early childhood education plan.
They will understand the role of the social services professional in early childhood education in the implementation of multidisciplinary cooperation and networking.
They will understand the background to why some children need more support than others and can adopt a professional approach to the different life situations of families.
They will be able to guide families in the use of social services sensitively, appropriately and utilizing network skills.
The students will understand confidentiality and related legislation.
The students will knows the special pedagogical practices of early childhood education to support the individual growth and development of the child.

Other recommended studies: to be discussed with the study counsellor in the personal study plan review.

Content

Individuality, early intervention, emergence and identification of growth and development problems, special education, support for growth and development in early childhood, co-operation and services, interdisciplinary co-operation, inclusion, personal early childhood education plan, child welfare, differentiation, structure of and constructing learning environments and activities, cooperation with the home, solution centredness, resource-based approach

Location and time

Course Duration: January 12 – May 15, 2026

Online Learning:
Includes online lectures and completion of required tasks in the learning environment.

Contact Teaching:
Location: KAMK, Taito2 building, Ketunpolku 4, Kajaani.

Assignment Submission:
Learning tasks have scheduled deadlines (submission dates can be found in Reppu under each task).

Final Exam:
The final exam must be submitted by April 30, 2026 at the latest.

Schedule:
See the detailed contact teaching schedule in the Tuudo app or Lukkarikone.

Materials

Self-Study Material:
Available in the Reppu learning environment.

Course Literature:
Pihlaja, P. & Viitala, R. (toim.) (2022). Varhaiserityiskasvatus. PS-kustannus

Niemelä, H-L. & Välivaara, C. (2021). Sijoitettu lapsi varhaiskasvatuksessa. Opas lasten kanssa työskenteleville.

Teaching methods

Independent Study in an Online Learning Environment:
Includes a preliminary knowledge survey, assignments, an exam, and participation in online discussions.

Contact Teaching:
Features guest speakers from working life, collaborative learning activities related to the course content, and simulation exercises. Additionally, students will participate in teaching sessions organized during the International Week (Week 7) as part of the course.

Employer connections

Contact Teaching Includes Guest Speakers from Working Life.

Exam schedules

Mandatory Exam:
Students may complete the exam at a time of their choosing between March 1 and May 15, 2026.
The exam can be taken once, with the possibility of two retakes.

International connections

12.2.26 Classroom teaching integrated into International Week, which takes place as classroom teaching at Kamk. The language of instruction for this day is English, and international students participate in the teaching.

Completion alternatives

The course includes mandatory contact teaching, during which students will engage with the course content.

The course also includes a mandatory exam, which students can complete at a time of their choosing between March 1 and May 15, 2026.

Student workload

The course is worth 5 ECTS credits.
One ECTS credit corresponds to approximately 27 hours of student work, meaning the entire course equals about 135 hours of student workload.

Further information

Learning Materials:
All course materials are available in the Reppu learning environment.
Log in to Reppu using your HAKA credentials and enter the course key on Reppu’s front page.