The aim of this study is to investigate the pedagogical potential of wonder as teaching tool in preschool. The focus of research is on teaching in preschool in the light of the revised preschool curriculum of 2018 and the concept of wonder in classical and contemporary philosophical texts on educational importance of wonder. The purpose of this approach is to create an understanding of wonder, its impact and positive force in the teaching process. How does wonder relate to preschool teaching? How is teaching in preschool interpreted in current preschool discourse? And how can classical philosophical ideas on wonder contribute to contemporary discussions about teaching in preschool? The study is based on the hermeneutic method of research inspired by Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics. The study begins with an overview of the main ancient Greek philosophers. Next, I address current research on wonder as a prerequisite for learning during teaching activities. I find that, in spite of the fact that there is a number of science educators, who recognize the value of wonder, explicit notions of wonder as a pedagogical tool a very few. Next, a historical overview of the preschool curriculum and the concepts of teaching and wonder in preschool is undertaken and reveals some controversies with regard to the concept of teaching in its current understanding. The conclusion of the study is that there is some promising empirical evidence in favor of “wonder pedagogy”, which, if applied in preschool, may facilitate the achievement of some of the objectives of preschool curriculum.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:sh-38612 |
| Date | January 2019 |
| Creators | Vichnevskaia, Larissa |
| Publisher | Södertörns högskola, Lärarutbildningen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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