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:

• Theoretical knowledge and practical experience with different natural and physical environments as learning arenas for children’s development and health
• Theoretical and practical knowledge focused on stimulating the child’s play, wonder, joy and mastery in natural environments based on the child’s own background
• Didactic skills, the ability to critically reflect and an understanding of educational development related to working with children in natural environments and the kindergarten’s outdoor areas
• Insight into children’s relationships with nature and the importance of learning in the context of surroundings
• Knowledge of how playgrounds are built up and used in practical educational work with children.
  

Skills

The candidate can:

• Plan and carry out practical activities with children in the kindergarten’s outdoor areas in different seasons
• Arrange and conduct natural science learning with children using ‘The budding scientist’ method
• Plan and perform physical activities with children and evaluate motor development
• Build up a playground focused on movement stimulators
• Evaluate the safety of playgrounds under current regulations.

General competence

The candidate:

• Can plan, organize, implement and evaluate practical activities outdoors with children all year round
• Is familiar with the characteristics, qualities and safety of an effective kindergarten outdoor setting
• Can use the outdoor area for both play and learning
• Has insight into the importance of physical activity for children’s development and health
• Understands the importance of the outdoors for practical educational work in kindergartens.

Course Description

The course is focused on working with children in outdoor areas. Outdoor areas are viewed as arenas for play and learning, both inside and outside of the kindergarten’s perimeter. This is concretised through understanding which opportunities and challenges there are in practical educational work with children in the kindergarten’s outdoor areas. Emphasis is placed on developing children’s relationship with nature through outdoor experiences, understanding animals and plant life in ecological interactions, and understanding what constitutes a sustainable perspective. The course provides insight into how the kindergarten’s learning landscape can provide the child with opportunities for exploration through movement and physical activity in a healthy, safe way. Work with the kindergarten outdoor areas will provide understanding of how practical pedagogical work can provide children with an authentic understanding of ecological relationships and how the landscape is an important factor for playing and contextual learning.

The course attempts to highlight and address the Kindergarten Act, 2006 § 2 : “The kindergarten will provide children with opportunities for play, self-expression and meaningful experiences and activities in a safe yet challenging environment” and exemplifies the guidelines of the National Curriculum for Kindergartens, 2011 ( R-11 ): “The kindergarten will have space and enough equipment to play and varied activities that promote movement enjoyment, providing comprehensive movement experience, sensory experience and opportunity for learning and mastery.”

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, group work, field studies and practical work with children.

Workshop days and study-days are mandatory.

Assessment Methods

The coursework requirements are:

• Field study with individual journal
• Group work and practical work with children.

There is also an individual portfolio assessment with grade.

A single letter grade (A to F) will be entered on the diploma, where A represents the highest and E the lowest passing grade. Each element of the course must be completed with a passing mark in order for the student to achieve a passing mark in the course. 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