This research project analyzes and develops methods to strengthen teachers in early childhood education in their ability to engage and respond to children’s spontaneous questions about existential and ethical issues. We want to provide new teachers with analytical and communicative tools, that encourage and promotes children’s ability to think about questions about themselves, about others and the world.
The project has developed an educational intervention that is tested and analyzed in early childhood teacher education at the Helsinki University. The intervention is based on results and insights from the methods in Philosophy for Children. Our aim is to let the students conceptualize and analyze their own questions in relation to their role as teachers in early childhood education.