Early Childhood Education focusing on Science and Education for Sustainability

This course provides theories on children’s learning in science. It covers concepts and theories relating to science phenomena and sustainable development.
Children´s hands in a circle holding plants

Photo: Mostphotos/Yana Tatevosian

The course has an exploratory, project-oriented approach. Pedagogical documentation is used as a tool for recording children’s questions and actions, and for planning, analysing, and evaluating teaching activities related to the topics of the course. The significance of the teaching environment and material for children’s exploration is at focus and aesthetic forms of expression are used to understand, communicate and create knowledge.

The course is offered for international exchange students, students from the Program in Early Childhood Education as well as students who have applied for the course as a free standing (single subject) course.

The course consists of two modules:

  • Early Childhood Educational Perspective on Science and Education for Sustainability and
  • Subject Learning and Teaching on Science and Education for Sustainability.

Modules

The following topics are covered in the course module Early Childhood Educational Perspective on Science and Education for Sustainability (8 credits):

  • scientific exploration in preschools using project-based work, aesthetic forms of expression and outdoor teaching activities;
  • sustainable development from the perspective of early childhood education;
  • the teaching environment and the significance of materials for children’s scientific exploration and meaning-making;
  • pedagogical documentation as a tool for highlighting children’s thoughts and ideas about scientific phenomena and sustainable development;
  • communicating science and sustainability by means of aesthetic expressions, play and digital tools.

The following topics are covered in the course module Subject Learning and Teaching on Science and Education for Sustainability (4 credits):

  • basic scientific and technological terminology, models and theories, with a special focus on ecology, natural cycles and sustainable development;
  • basic terminology concerning chemical processes and physical phenomena;
  • learning for sustainable development and different forms of participation;
  • outdoor didactic approaches with focus on science.

Teaching Format

Instruction is given in the form of lectures, seminars, supervision sessions, laboratory work, and excursions, as well as via the learning and collaboration platform Athena.

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

Assessment

Forms of examination

  • The course module Early Childhood Educational Perspective on Science and Education for Sustainability is examined on the basis of an individual paper focusing (grading A-F) and an oral group presentation (grading G-U).
  • The course module Subject learning and teaching in Science and Education for Sustainability is examined on the basis of an individual reflection on seminars (grading G-U).

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

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

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.

Reading list UB313F - valid from Spring 2024

See syllabus archive for all reading lists

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


Combine courses to study a full semester 30 ECTS:

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.

Autumn semester 2025

Early Childhood Education: Explorative Learning, 6 credits (ECTS)

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

Spring semester 2026

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

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

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

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

Combine courses to study half a semester: 15 ECTS

You can also combine this course with the course UB316F Participation and influence in children´s exploratory activities, 3 credits if you would like to study 15 credits in the first half of the semester period 1 (period A + B).

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

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

How to apply

Application - a Step by Step Guide

It is important that you document 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.

Anmälan till kursen för dig som läser Förskollärarprogrammet (LFÖRY)

Studenter inom Förskollärarprogrammet som vill läsa den engelska terminen anmäler sig till kursen/kurserna via institutionen. Informationsmöte om detta hålls i anslutning till undervisning under termin två.

Studying at Stockholm University

New student at Stockholm University

Welcome activities for new students

Academic writing service

Stockholm University Library

Directions

Please note that the lectures/seminars will take place at several different areas of the Stockholm University campus. Please take the time to check directions before the lectures.

In most cases you have lectures at the Department of Child and Youth Studies.

See directions to the Department of Child and Youth Studies.

You will also have a few lectures at the Department of Teaching and Learning.

See directions to the Department of Teaching and Learning.


Meet our students

"I have been able to broaden my perspectives as a teacher and researcher, which was one of my goals as an exchange student.", Nagomi Sugiyama.

Meet the exchange student Nagomi Sugiyama from Japan.




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

Course leader 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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