The PLAYCO project (Playful learning pedagogy in early childhood education and care) brings together Finnish and Chinese teacher education students and teacher educators in the field.
PLAYCO offers a combination of online and on-site teaching in early childhood education and care in China and Finland. The project involves the universities of Helsinki, Turku and Oulu as well as Beijing Normal University.
Immersive learning and playful pedagogy
Students taking a course associated with the PLAYCO project explored playful learning pedagogy in multicultural teams. During a period of on-site teaching in China in December 2024, the students observed teaching and interacted with children and teachers at Beijing Normal University Kindergarten (BNUK).
“After a warm welcome from the children and teachers on the first day, it was easy to bridge the language barrier through play,” says Olli-Pekka Malinen of the University of Helsinki, who is one the teachers of the Master’s course.
For four rounds, the students used two designated tools to observe groups of children. They also talked to BNUK teachers about the children’s interests and potential themes for the groups, using these observations to design a pedagogical and playful learning session.
On the third day, the BNUK teachers conducted the student-designed sessions with their groups, while the students observed the action. Later that day, the teachers and students discussed and shared their views on the teachers’ playfulness and the children’s joy during the play.
A wonderful learning experience
The course proved inspiring for the University of Helsinki students.
For Ellimari Roth, a master’s student of early childhood education at the University of Helsinki, the PLAYCO course was a profoundly influential learning experience for both professional growth and formation of teaching philosophy.
“Collaboration during the course gave me insights and skills I believe will also benefit the children I teach.”
She commends the course’s meticulous organisation, explaining how it enhanced her expertise with in-depth consideration of early childhood education and care.
“The dialogic and playful approach offered me tools I intend to use in my daily work as an early childhood education teacher.”
Niina Koivisto too praises the PLAYCO project as a wonderful learning experience.
“I learned a lot about playfulness and how it can manifest in a range of situations and learning environments. Collaborating with Finnish and Chinese students and teachers was fun, and I made some great friends along the way. I learned about my teaching practices and gained new ideas that will definitely benefit me in the future.”
Sharing experiences at the SEED conference
The course concluded with the chance for the PLAYCO project students and trainers to present their observations at the SEED International Conference on Early Childhood Development and Education, organised by Beijing Normal University in December last year.
The Finnish students were impressed particularly by the high-quality early childhood education pedagogy they witnessed at BNUK. The conference theme of Innovation and Empowerment: High-quality Play, Curriculum and Early Learning resonated with the participants and promoted conversations on integrating playful elements into curricula.
Among the PLAYCO project highlights was an event on playful learning in early childhood education, held at the Finnish Embassy in Beijing. It brought together researchers, educators, students and parents to discuss playful learning and teachers’ playfulness. The event emphasised the significance of intercultural exchange in developing early childhood education.
“PLAYCO stresses the role of playfulness in early childhood education as an essential component of children exploring, seeking and acquiring new knowledge. It is also a prime example of the power of international collaboration in early childhood education and, more generally, teacher education. Exposure to different ideas and ways of teaching inspires reflection on one’s own ideas of good teaching and learning,” states Olli-Pekka Malinen.
The PLAYCO project is funded by the Team Finland Knowledge programme of the Finnish National Agency for Education.