Technological knowledge in early childhood education: provision by staff of learning opportunities

The study investigates how kindergarten employees create conditions for children to develop their technological knowledge. The research question is: What types of technology knowledge are promoted in employees’ organisation of learning opportunities for children, and how?

The results show that the kindergarten employees facilitated the learning of a variety of technological content, mainly related to technological objects and creative processes. The learning ranges from basic knowledge about how children handle a knife or scissors, to more complex knowledge about how to build something suited to a specific purpose and how different tools and materials are suited to different activities. The ways in which kindergarten staff facilitate learning influence which of the children’s abilities are promoted and developed.

The study is based on data from two kindergartens involving a total of 35 children between the ages of three and five. The data material was collected through participatory observation and formal and informal interviews.

Sundqvist, P. (2020). “Technological knowledge in early childhood education: provision by staff of learning opportunities”. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 30(2020):225-242.