Päivi Marjanen — Marjaana Marttila — Marjo Varsa (edit)

Small circles


How to support children's friendships? How could children's sense of “us” and “we” be promoted? What kind of group-wide common operational situations are meaningful?

Education often focuses on the individual and ignores the importance of peer groups to children's growth, development and learning. However, since birth, the child belongs to different communities and is a part of a family, a group of relatives and other local communities. The basic rules of group behavior should be adopted in early childhood, as they are the basis for further interaction and positive emotional ties.

Children's social skills are developed within activities where the child is self-involved. Collaborative learning is best done in play situations. Since strong adult-oriented activities reduce children's learning opportunities, it is important for educators to realize the importance of community as an everyday tool.
The book examines the importance of growth communities for the child and provides ingredients for creating a good community for growth. It discusses the different aspects of how community activity and participation support children's well-being. In a good community everybody grows - both children and adults.


Published in 2013, 241 pages

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