Curricula

Objectives

After the course, you understand the importance of the early interaction between a child and their parents and are able to strengthen and support parenting. In addition to this, you are able to develop and apply a reflective approach to working with families and deepen theoretical thinking in regard to supporting parenting. You are able to identify emotions and thoughts related to working with families and the experiences of family members. You are equipped to examine your own way of operating in different interaction situations and understand the importance of mentalisation theory in practical client work.

Content

The content covered during the course includes mentalisation, early interaction, attachment and reflective capability. In addition to this, the course examines cross-generational parenting and the meaning of reflection in parenting and the development of a child. During the course, you will study parenting that promotes the mental well-being and strengthens the resources of the whole family, as well as practice a reflective approach to work for strengthening your own and the parent’s reflective capability. Reflecting on your own actions is a key overarching theme of the course.

Time and location

Online webinars

Learning materials and recommended literature

Keinänen, Matti & Martin, Minna (2019) Mieli meissä - Tasapainoista arkea mielentämisen keinoin.

Laitinen, I. & Ollikainen, S. (2017). Mentalisaatio. Teoriasta käytäntöön. Therapeia-säätiö.

Sinkkonen, J. (2019) Kiintymyssuhteet elämänkaaressa. Helsinki: Duodecim.

Viinikka, A. (toim). (2014). Mentalisaatio perheiden kohtaamisessa. Mannerheimin lastensuojeluliitto Oy. Tampere: Hämeen Kirjapaino Oy.

Teaching methods

The course uses discussive webinars, independent work, book reading ggroup work and a written reflection assignment as teaching and learning methods.

The webinars are interactive learning situations and you will be prepared for them according to the instructions given in advance. Participation in webinars requires a working camera, headphones and microphone.

If you use AI in your assignments, please include a verbal description of how, to what extent and where you have used it.

Student workload

Webinars 12 h, preparation for webinars, independent work and reflection study work 96 h, reading group work 27 h, total 135 h.

Further information for students

Assesment is based on learning-assingment and student´s self-assessment.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Evaluation criteria, pass/failed

The student knows the key concepts of the course and is able to reflect on the meanings and principles of reflective work with clients in social services and health care. The student is aware of the possibilities of reflective methods and is able to evaluate and justify his or her own activities professionally, and is able to discuss the contents of the course in multiple ways. In the written assignment of the course, the student demonstrates the ability to reflect on the content of the course by writing professional text, based on sources.

Further information

This course is part of the qualification of early childhood education and social pedagogy (total 60 cr).