Enhancing a culture of participation in early childhood education and care through narrative activities and project-based practices

Authors

• Elina Weckström University of Eastern Finland, Finland
• Anna-Leena Lastikka University of Helsinki, Finland
• Liisa Karlsson University of Helsinki, Finland
• Sinikka Pöllänen University of Eastern Finland, Finland

Keywords:

culture of participation, child’s perspective, narrative activities, project-based practices

Abstract

In early childhood education and care (ECEC), there is a need for research to develop practices planned, implemented and evaluated in shared activities between educators and children. The objective of this qualitative study is to explore how narrative activities and project-based practices in an ECEC centre promote the development of a culture of participation, which supports reciprocal and listening practices emerging from children’s initiatives and interests. This will be done through studying what phases are experienced based on the projects planned, implemented and evaluated together by the children and educators becoming part of the pedagogical activities. The theoretical framework for this study lies in the sociocultural paradigm. The research data consist of four pedagogical projects. Narrative activities and methods were used in projects when collecting and analysing research data. The results of this study show that there are five phases of shared activities between children and educators: (1) Initial idea, (2) Storycrafting, (3) Narrative play, (4) Closing ceremony, and (5) Recalling sessions. This study contributes to the development of ECEC pedagogy which promotes children’s initiatives and interests, as well as strengthens children’s sense of participation.