The implementation of positive pedagogy in Finnish early childhood education and care: a quantitative survey of its practical elements

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how positive pedagogical practices are implemented by early childhood education (ECE) teachers in Finland. A survey was conducted among 625 teachers, enquiring about specific positive pedagogical practices in ECEC. It was found that the correlation between the sum variables and principal components were strong. ECE teachers’ work experience and age had a mainly positive influence on how positive pedagogy was implemented. According to the findings from the surveys, the structure of a class influenced how the ECE teachers implemented positive pedagogy. It was found that 13 principal components had statistically significant correlations. These are introduced as key elements with which positive pedagogy can be further enhanced in ECEC. As a pioneering study about the implementation of positive pedagogy in ECEC, the research has significance not only to ECE teacher training in Finland but also internationally.

KEYWORDS:

• Early childhood education and care
• Finland
• positive pedagogy
• survey

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Suomen Kulttuurirahasto.

Notes on contributors

Samuli Ranta

Samuli Ranta, M.A., is a doctoral candidate at the University of Lapland and a project manager at the University of Eastern Finland. His research interest is the pedagogy of ECEC in Finland, especially children's well-being, learning motivation, and learning atmosphere.

Satu Uusiautti

Satu Uusiautti, PhD, is the professor of education and vice-rector of the University of Lapland, Finland. Her research interests are in positive psychology and development, and success and flourishing during life-span and various contexts of life.

Sanna Hyvärinen

Sanna Hyvärinen, PhD, is a project manager and a part-time teacher at the University of Lapland, Finland. Her research interests are in positive human growth and development of the different stages of life. Exploring well-being, education, learning, and a changing work life are her recent priorities.