This course focuses on developing mathematical thinking skills, creativity, and imagination through playful multidisciplinary activities in early childhood education. Creating equal preconditions for children’s holistic growth is one of the main goals of the Finnish Early Childhood Education Curriculum.

From this holistic perspective, the early development of mathematical thinking is embedded in playful and creative, often artistic processes. Individual and community activities stimulate imagination and open up self-expression, and are as well sources of mathematical skills improvement.

The phenomenon-based foundations of mathematical thinking are laid down in early childhood education as part of the advancement of transversal competencies in multidisciplinary educational settings. As transversal competencies consist of knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and will, children will discover basic mathematical concepts, notions and principles in various matters and phenomena.

These goals are fully in line with recent policy developments in the European Union. Newest policies prioritize the development of key competencies and also extend STEM to STE-A-M by integrating Arts into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Also suggesting that “the earlier people acquire STEAM skills, the better their chances of future educational and professional success will be”.

In-service and future early childhood and child care teachers; educators focusing on early childhood and child care

Best practices from Finland for developing mathematical thinking skills, creativity, and imagination in early childhood education and care through STEAM.

1. Introduction to Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care
2. Play, Learning and Evaluation in Finnish Early Childhood Education and Care
3. Developing Skills and Competencies
4. Activities for Developing Mathematical Thinking
5. Activities Based on Patterns and Symmetries
6. Building Blocks for Building Up Thinking
7. Experiencing Mathematical Concepts through Body Movement
8. Summary

8x45 minutes online learning (videos and live interactions) + 8x45 minutes individual learning