Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate has knowledge of:

• Children’s exploratory play indoors and outdoors with natural science topics
• Nature in winter
• The relationship between physical activity, food and health, and general knowledge about food in the kindergarten
• Common diseases and childhood diseases.

Skills

The candidate can:

• Facilitate practical work and exploratory play in nature, health and movement, both indoors and outdoors
• Develop children’s skills in play and physical activity through all-round movement activities in different environments
• Assess the suitability and proper use of the body for children and adults in the kindergarten.
  

General competence

The candidate can/has:

• Reflect on the child’s curiosity and wonder, and how to facilitate this in kindergarten
• Knowledge about physical activity in relation to social development and different cultures
• Reflect on the importance of the adult’s role in children’s exploratory play and physical activity in the kindergarten.

Course Description

The course Nature, Health and Movement 2 builds on the content of Nature, Health and Movement 1.

The course focuses on identifying and analysing activities both indoors and outdoors, in the kindergarten and other locations. The issue of safety will be addressed, and the adult role in these contexts will also be discussed. Knowledge of initiatives for children with different backgrounds is essential.

Diet in the kindergarten, as well as general diet and health, are explored. Students will also gain basic knowledge of some common childhood illnesses.

The course includes fieldwork with a focus on the dissemination of culture and sustainable development. The development of specific skills in facilitating diverse movement activities for children, and natural science activities that are adapted to winter, will also be emphasised. Themes related to diet and nutrition in the kindergarten will be included in the fieldwork.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course includes varied teaching and learning methods, including lectures, group work, individual work and observation (carried out in theoretical and practical activities linked to different indoor/outdoor environments). The students will gain experience of how nature, health and movement can be adapted and integrated into the day-to-day running of a kindergarten, usually through observation and participation in activities in selected kindergartens.

Instruction will partly take place outdoors and vary between various locations in the local area.

The parts of the course instruction that are mandatory are described in the semester plans.

Assessment Methods

Coursework requirements:

• Group assignment related to fieldwork

The coursework requirements must receive passing marks in order to be given a passing mark for the course.

Assessment with grade:

• Four hour individual written examination

A single letter grade (A to F) will be entered on the diploma, where A represents the highest and E the lowest passing grade. Please refer to the Telemark University College Examination Regulations for further information.

The course is subject to minor changes.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean