Our research focuses on early childhood education and care institutions, and primary school. Both institutional structures as well as the everyday practices including children's, professionals' and parents' views are explored. Our group has strong experience on qualitative longitudinal studies, ethnographic approach and including young children in research projects. We have also reflected and published on ethical questions related to research with very young children.
We are applying theoretical lenses from multidisciplinary childhood studies, as well as theories of relational space.
One of our latest projects is funded by Research Council of Finland (Trace in ECEC 2019-2024), where we explore diverse transitions during children's paths from home care through early childhood education and care until pre-primary education. The project includes international collaboration with five research groups (New Zealand, Australia, UK/Scotland, Brazil, USA)in ISSEET International study of social emotional early transitions -project.
Research will continue in SchoolTrace -project that includes data collection in schools to follow the same children and groups in primary schools.
Blog (in Finnish): siirtymäpoluilla
Instagram @siirtymapolut
Assistants and master's students in the group
In Trace in ECEC 2022: Hele Marjasalo, Hanna Nieminen, Maija-Leena Tuomela, Hanna Malinen.
In Trace in ECEC 2018-2022: Kati Laaksonen, Milla Tuikka, Sari Toivonen, Eveliina Varis, Juulia Ylikoski, Emilia Sviili, Lea Yliniskala, Lotta Saariluoma, Roosa Karvinen, Sanni Kolsi, Sari Leskinen.
In SchoolTrace 2022: Veera Kuumola, Eveliina Leppä, Anni-Elina Peltokangas, Venla Lahtinen
In SchoolTrace 2023: Maija Simonen, Salla Mäntyniemi, Sini Heikkilä, Silja Kastinen.
International advisory group in Trace in ECEC:
Jayne White, Professor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Helen Marwick, Lecturer, University of Strathclyde, Scotland (d. 2021)
Maritta Hännikäinen, Professor Emerita, University of Jyväskylä (d. 2021)
Lasse Lipponen, Professor, University of Helsinki
Supervisors in PhD subprojects:
Eija Sevon, Associate professor, University of Jyväskylä
Johanna Kiili, University Lecturer, University of Jyväskylä
Maiju Paananen, Associate professor, Tampere University
