Varhaiskasvatustiede – kasvamisen tiede

Authors

• Nina Sajaniemi Itä-Suomen yliopisto, Finland
• Jarmo Lounassalo
• Pekka Savolahti

Keywords:

education culture, kasvatus, evolution, kulttuuri, biology, evoluutio, biologia

Abstract

The aim of this article is to bridge educational sciences, human developmental sciences, natural sciences and societal sciences. The emphasis is on multiple factors that should be taken into consideration in various learning environments when the purpose is to release human potential that every child has. The emancipation of human potential could enhance common kindness, mutual caring and responsibility. It is especially important in today’s endeavor toward sustainability. Human life is pondered from the perspectives of evolution, development of human species, social environment and culture. The aim is to open pathways to understand the reciprocal interplay of growth, development, genes and culture. Growth, development and learning are assimilated into ongoing process that is in several ways dependent on environmental feedback. However, the biology, genes and human-specific development impose certain preconditions. The purpose of this article is to arouse discussion about present state of educational sciences, its theoretical challenges, and the relationship between basic and applied research. Educational sciences are extremely important in shaping future minds in increasingly complex world. The theoretical backgrounds, argumentative bases, values and research independency should be revisited in a more critical way.