Early childhood art education (LAB) (4cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Pass:
You are able to describe how art education supports children's development, learning, and self-expression in early childhood education. You recognize the importance of play and can identify typical ways children act and express themselves. You can describe your own pedagogical guidance principles and the key factors related to planning, guiding, and evaluating art education. You are able to name methods and tools for visual and musical expression in children's art education. You recognize your own theoretical and practical competence in integrating art education methods. Also all required tasks and assignments must be completed according to the given schedule and instructions.

Fail (0):
The learning assignments does not follow the given instructions and/or does not include the required sources and/or those has been carried out inadequately in terms of planning or practical implementation. Active participation in the teaching sessions is required to receive a passing grade for the course.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The course begins with a webinar session on March
In-person teaching days will take place in March, April, and May.
Project planning will occur during March and April.
Project implementation in the early childhood education setting will take place in April and May.
Peer feedback on project plans will take place in May.
Guided music activities will be conducted during the April in-person sessions.
Online discussion must be completed by the end of May.
The course will conclude in May 2026.

Objective

The aim of the course is building up your understanding of the significance that art education has for the child's holistic development. It will also provide you with information and practical skills for using art-based methods in early childhood education and care.

Competences:

Competence in social client work

Intended learning outcomes:

You know how to support children's development, learning and self-expression through art education as well as visual and musical expression, taking into account children’s typical way of learning through play. You are able to define your personal pedagogical guidance principles and plan, guide and evaluate children's art and music education activities in a goal-oriented manner and in line with the objectives of the National core curriculum for early childhood education and care. You are able to use and adapt methods and tools of visual and musical expression in children's art education. You are able to assess and develop your theoretical and practical competence, guidance skills and skills in integrating art education methods.

Content

The core content of the course includes the theoretical foundations related to development and guidance of children's art education as well as creative visual and musical thinking and expression. Students will also get to know the objectives, guidance principles, methods and tools of visual and musical expression set out in the National core curriculum for early childhood education and care. They will also explore integrated and process-like art work with children under school age.

Location and time

The course will take place in spring 2026. Contact teaching includes one joint webinar session for all groups in March, as well as activity-based in-person teaching during city-specific contact days in March, April, and May.

Materials

Rusanen, S.; Kuusela, M. & Rintakorpi, K. 2014. Musta tuntuu punaiselta. Kuvataiteellinen toiminta varhaisiässä. Helsinki: Lasten keskus.

Lindeberg-Piiroinen, A. & Ruokonen, I. 2017. Musiikki varhaiskasvatuksessa - käsikirja. Helsinki: Classicus.

Varhaiskasvatussuunnitelman perusteet

Inkeri Ruokonen (2020) Nyt on ilmaisun aika. Varhaiskasvatuksen taidekasvatus. VOL.

Teaching methods

Webinar in Zoom
In-person teaching
Individual assignments
Pair/group work

Employer connections

As part of the course, students will carry out a three-session project related to art education in their own early childhood education setting.

Exam schedules

The course does not include an exam. It includes a learning assignment, which will be carried out between March and May by guiding a group of children in your own daycare.

International connections

International sources or studies have been utilized as references for teachers' lecture materials, supporting Finnish sources and studies.

Completion alternatives

The course can be credited based on previous higher education studies in early childhood art education (visual and musical expression) of at least 5 studypoints.
Partial credit for the course can be obtained based on previous vocational-level studies in music or art education.
Work experience cannot be used to obtain credit for the course.
Credit transfer applications should be submitted to Anniina Berg. Please refer to the course's Moodle area for further instructions.

Student workload

4 credits = 108 hours (1 credit = 27 hours)

Contact teaching: 24 hours
Project planning and implementation in a daycare: 37 hours
Peer review of project plans: 3 hours
Leading music activities during April contact sessions: 17 hours
Individual assignments and preparation for teaching sessions: 27 hours

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

You are able to describe how the methods of art education support children's development, learning and self-expression in early childhood education and care. You recognise the significance of play and name ways of acting typical of children. You are able to describe your personal pedagogical guidance principles and key factors related to the planning, guidance and evaluation of art education. You are able to name methods and tools of visual and musical expression in children's art education. You recognise your theoretical and practical competence related to integrating art education methods.

Further information

To Pass the Course, the Student Must Complete the Following Tasks by May 2026:
Active participation in contact teaching sessions
Participation in the online discussion
Planning of the art project, implementation of three guided sessions, final reflection, and peer feedback
Leading a music activity session