Lapsen itsesäätelytaitojen tukeminen Muksuopin keinoin: Varhaiskasvatuksen ammattilaisten kertomuksia

Authors

• Merja Hautakangas University of Helsinki, Finland
• Lotta Uusitalo University of Helsinki, Finland
• Kristiina Kumpulainen University of Helsinki, Finland

Keywords:

self-regulation, lapsen itsesäätelytaidot, Kids’ Skills programme, Muksuoppi, pedagogy, pedagogiikka, early childhood education, varhaiskasvatus

Abstract

Challenges in children’s self-regulation skills are one of the most common concerns in early childhood education and care. The current study investigated the Kids’ Skills program from the perspective of 14 early childhood education professionals. The Kids’ Skills has been used in Finland since the 1990s to support children’s self-regulation skills, but there has been too little systematic research on the topic. The research material consists of early education professionals’ narratives collected five months after a 10-week Kids’ Skills intervention. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis. The study focused on how professionals support children’s self-regulation skills in the Kids’ Skills intervention and what makes the program a pedagogically effective tool. According to the results, the application of the Kids’ Skills was strongly intertwined with the interactive and inventive pedagogy of early childhood education professionals. The interaction showed up in making things together. Innovativeness was visible in the professionals’ skills in applying the Kids’ Skills instruments and in developing them. Thus, the effectiveness of the Kids’ Skills program cannot be viewed without considering the pedagogical expertise of the professionals. The pedagogical arguments of the Kids’ Skills program were optimism and child-centredness. Optimism was described as a growth perspective. Child-centredness showed in supporting children’s agency and feelings of competence. The current research produces new knowledge on how to support children’s self-regulation skills and what kind of pedagogical tool the Kids’ Skills program makes.