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micro-module

Democracy and Equity in Early Childhood Education

Democracy and Equity in Early Childhood Education

How to educate the democratic citizens of tomorrow
Open for application

Description

How can education and educators foster an open and equal society in a period when core democratic principles are heavily contested? This micro-module aspires to lay the groundwork for a toolkit teachers and professionals can further develop to tackle this difficult mission. It explores the importance of intercultural competence and responsive interpersonal communication for the democratic education of young children, while trying to highlight and problematise democratic dilemmas in educational settings. Join us to learn how to integrate democratic values into your professional practice and discover how communication and creativity can be powerful didactic tools in fostering these values among people of every age.

The Team

AB
Anna Martín Bylund
Teacher
HE
Profile photo
Helene Elvstrand
Teacher
0 learners
Study format
Blended
Application period
2 June – 1 September 2025
Study period
15 September – 6 November 2025
Credits
3 ECTS
Hosting university
Linkoping University
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Learning outcomes

Intercultural competence

Ability to explain what intercultural competence can mean in early childhood education.

ESCO SKILLS

Democratic dilemmas from a global perspective

Ability to discuss democratic dilemmas and professional challenges in early childhood education from a global perspective.

ESCO SKILLS

Democracy and equity

Ability to explain central concepts related to democracy and equity in early childhood education.

ESCO SKILLS

Didactic strategies

Ability to discuss didactic strategies at the intersection of the democratic assignment, communicative practices and creative approaches.

ESCO SKILLS

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Information

The micro-module focuses on intercultural competence as a basic, democratic prerequisite for the education of younger children. Learners will get to approach and explore the concept of intercultural competence as a dynamic process, where the ability to be responsive in interpersonal communication is central.  The focus is also on various democratic dilemmas that can arise in educational practices for younger children where, for example, questions about children's participation versus the power of adults are actualized. ´The global perspective runs as a common thread in the micro-module, as different countries' ways of meeting diversity and interculturality are discussed, with a particular focus on early childhood education. Furthermore, work with democratic issues in educational settings is highlighted and practical examples are given of how communication and creativity can be used as didactic tools to support the acquisition of democratic values.

This micro-module will start with online lectures and activities, to lay down the theoretical foundation in the importance of intercultural competence for a democratic early childhood education. This will be followed by a mandatory face-to-face week, where you will have the opportunity to meet peers and par­ticipate in interactive activities. Site visits to early-childhood and extended education centres are planned, along with outdoor activities and a city tour in Norrköping. 

This module is an excellent choice for students of teaching programmes and or other disciplines within education and pedagogy, who are keen to develop their intercultural completence and curious about how they can work with democracy and equity in their fields.

Hosting university

Linkoping University

Linkoping University