Early Childhood Education: Explorative Learning

This course provides an introduction to the learning environments and explorative approaches of Swedish preschools. Preschools are highlighted as a venue for children’s participation and influence in relation to children’s rights.
Children puting dandelions into a plastic can with water

Photo: Mostphotos/Therese Boman

The course provides insight into the development and philosophy of Swedish preschools, with links between the view on children, learning, play, care, and childhood conditions.

In addition, the course includes study visits to preschools and/or other institutions and activities for children.

 

The course is offered for international exchange students and for students who have applied for the course as a free standing (single subject) course.


Teaching Format

Instruction is given in the form of lectures, teacher-led seminars, field studies, group exercises and study visits.

Specific teaching sessions are mandatory. Absence must be compensated for as described in the study guide.

Study Guide

The Study Guide for the course will be published at the latest one month prior to the course start.

Study Guide UB308F Early Childhood Education Explorative Learning Autumn 2025.pdf pdf, 181.4 kB.

Study Guide UB308F Early Childhood Education Explorative Learning Spring 2025 pdf, 160.8 kB. (160 Kb)

Study Guide Autumn 2025 (to be published at the latest one month prior to the course start).

Study Guide Spring 2026 (to be published at the latest one month prior to the course start).

Assessment

The course is examined on the basis of an individual paper and oral group presentation.

In order to pass the course, students must at least receive grade E or G on all examinations, complete allassignments as per the course description and complete all obligatory attendance.

For details and deadlines regarding examinations please see the study guide for the relevant semester.

Next opportunity for re-examination

Please see information in the study guide.

Note that students enrolled previous semesters need to contact the course administrator according to the deadline in the study guide to sign up for re-examination.

Examiner

The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

The course literature will be published at the latest two months prior to the course start.

 

Course reports are displayed for the three most recent course instances.


Combine courses to study a full semester

Please note that it is possible to combine with the two following courses in order to study a full semester (30 ECTS) focusing on science, technology, education for sustainable development, mathematics and explorative learning in the context of early childhood education.

Early Childhood Education Focusing on Science and Education for Sustainability, 12 credits (ECTS)

Early Childhood Education Focusing on Mathematics and Technology, 12 credits (ECTS)

New courses offered from the spring semester 2026

Please note that the course UB308F Early Childhood Education: Explorative Learning 6 ECTS will be offered for the last time the autumn semester 2025.

From the spring semester 2026 the course will be replaced by two new courses:

UB316F Participation and influence in children´s exploratory activities, 3 credits (ECTS)

UB317F Exploratory approaches in Swedish preschool: history, theory and practice, 3 credits (ECTS)

These new courses can be combined with our other courses in the subject field of early childhood education:

UB313F Early Childhood Education Focusing on Science and Education for Sustainability, 12 credits (ECTS)

UB314F Early Childhood Education Focusing on Mathematics and Technology, 12 credits (ECTS)

How to apply

Application - a Step by Step Guide

It is important that you docucment your eligibility and language proficiency in your application. You can find more information at universityadmissions.se:

Documenting eligibility

Documenting English proficiency

Exchange students

Please note that exchange students apply according to a separate routine.

Studying at Stockholm University

New student at Stockholm University

Welcome activities for new students

Academic writing service

Stockholm University Library

Guidelines for study groups

Directions

See directions to the Department of Child and Youth Studies.


Meet our students




If you have questions regarding the content of the course please contact the teacher responsible for the course.

Course leder and examiner: Emilie Moberg, email: emilie.moberg@buv.su.se

If you have administrative questions regarding admissions, registration, registration of grades, the learning

and collaboration platform Athena etc. please contact the course administrator.

Course administrator: Malin Håkansson, e-mail: malin.hakansson@buv.su.se

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