Special Education in Early ChildhoodLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

The student will know how to identify and assess abnormalities in a child's cognitive, linguistic and social development. He/she will understand the significance of early and special support as a fundamental aspect of early childhood education. The student is familiar with special education methods and services. He/she knows how to provide individualised, comprehensive support and guidance to children with special needs on a daily routine basis. The cornerstones of counselling are resource-, ecoculture- and community-orientation. He/she acts in recognition of his/her own value basis and in accordance with the ethical principles of his/her profession.

Content

• identification and assessment of abnormalities in a child's development (particularly linguistic problems) as well as support principles and plans
• first-hand information for parents, when a child is born with a disability
• providing early, special support in early childhood education as well as the transition to school
• special pedagogical methods
• AAC (Augmentative and alternative communication) principles to support communication and resource planning
• providing guidance to support development on a daily routine basis

Qualifications

The students know the basics of special education and special pedagogy.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

excellent (5): the students participate in contact lessons and discussions in the virtual learning environment and complete the agreed assignments. In assignments, they show innovativeness and in written assignments the ability to describe and justify the phenomena of the topic. The students follow the instructions of JUA for written assignments.
very good - good (4-3): the students participate in contact lessons and discussions in the virtual learning environment and complete agreed assignments. In written assignments, they show ability to describe and justify the phenomena of the topic by exploiting Finnish sources. The students follow the instructions of JUA for written assignments.
satisfactory - sufficient(2-1): the students partially participate in contact lessons and contribute little or none to discussions in the virtual learning environment. The students complete the agreed assignments. In written assignments, they describe the phenomena of the topic without justifying them and using only some source material. The students partially follow the instructions of JUA for written assignments.