Sustainable future skills in early childhood education and care : developing narrative practices to promote participation with Helsinki city’s fox model

Abstract

This developmental task explores how diverse narrative methods promote participation amongst children born in 2016 in a two-year pre-primary education group at a Finnish early childhood education and care unit in the capital region of Helsinki. The stories and activities surrounding sustainable future skills that were published in the Fox Book [Kettu-kirja] by the City of Helsinki in 2021 were examined concerning their participatory elements and how accessible and usable the materials were. Stories and activities were modified concentrating on diverse narrative practices.

The developmental task arranged in the group of children consisted of three story readings which were accompanied by different narrative activities: drawing, storycrafting, photographing, art activity, or drama. For the analysis, my and the teacher’s observations as well as children’s stories and feedback were collected. In the workshops, 12 children took part.

The participation of children in the activities and story reading circles was not limited to linguistic participation and for example children’s nonverbal efforts were included in the activities as well. Some children preferred drawing, some photographing, some drama, and some gestures and mimicking to participate in storytelling activities. The stories and activities of the Fox Book give opportunities for the children to discover sustainability topics in multisensory ways besides practicing linguistic skills and participation. Stories and activities of the Fox Book can be adjusted according to the group’s interests and needs.

Story readings and storytelling activities give children the opportunity to practice linguistic skills as well as skills of discussion and negotiation. Children also practice social skills and how to participate in a community. During this developmental task, children were eager to tell stories and be heard and seen by other children and adults in their community. Teachers need to adjust the Fox stories and materials according to the individual needs and interests of their children group to enable participation of all children.