Leadership, co-operation and development

Successfully completed a minimum of 60 credits from the first two years of study.

Children's development, Play and Learning (20 credits) to be included in these.

Knowledge

The student has:

• knowledge of pedagogy and kindergarten history, culture and character, laws and other regulatory documents
• knowledge of relevant research methods and tools as a basis for management and development
• knowledge of the management and guidance of people with different backgrounds and different assumptions
• knowledge of power, participation, diversity and equality in democratic processes in pre-school
• knowledge of collaborative processes between children, parents and staff
• knowledge of external partners.

Skills

The student can:

• show independence in leading guidance and cooperation processes in developmental and pedagogical work with children, staff and parents
• apply relevant research in the development of the pre-school teaching profession
• independently and in collaboration with others, to prepare, justify, implement, document and evaluate pedagogical work
• adopt appropriate methods and tools in dealing with developmental and learning
• reflect on their own and kindergarten practice in the further development of pre-school teacher role and professional ethics.

General competence

The student:

• can lead pedagogical work and make decisions that lead to the development of kindergarten practice
• have relational understanding and skills, and master communication with children, parents and staff
• can be constructive dialogue partner with the home and external partners
• can see how structural and cultural factors provide a framework for governance and development
• identify areas requiring development work and can assess what management actions that are necessary to realize the desired development

This field of study examines educational management in pre-school, personnel management and management of change and development in organizations. In this area of knowledge we emphasize understanding of how managerial actions can help to strengthen the kindergarten as a learning and development arena, and contribute to a better understanding of the profession's core content. Guidance and management of children and coworkers' learning plays a key role, as well as the use of different methods and tools that lend themselves to developing strategies, initiate and lead development. The knowledge area highlights the change and development taking place organizationally and individually related to educational work in pre-school.

The knowledge base is based on teacher education curricula from pedagogy and social sciences. Instruction shall clarify a kindergarten teaching approach and didactic research related to knowledge area where practice is an integral part.

Instruction consists of lectures, seminars and group work. Work on the subject is linked to the practice and development work. Student work on the subject is estimated at 405 hours.

This course includes 3 weeks of practice. Tasks in practice will enrich the students' experience on issues that deal with the topics management, collaboration and development work. Practice is an integral part of the work and the students to plan, implement and evaluate a concrete development work in practice. The content is based on the skills the student has gained through working with the other five areas of knowledge.

A more detailed description of the content and progress in practice is found in term plans and the Practice Document for pre-school education.