Degree programme in Social Services, Early Childhood Education -1st academic year
- Type of studies
- Pathway studies
- Campuses
- Online campus
- Location
- Online campus
- Ilmoittautumisaika
- 16.11.2026—22.11.2026
- Start Term
- 1.1.2027—31.12.2027
- Field of Study
- Social services, The church sector
- Study mode
- Online teaching
- Study language
- Finnish
- Application Status
- Registration opens soon
- Pricing
- Fee-based
- Code
- AAF920
- Extent
- 75 op
- Price
- 350 €
- Admission quota
- 65
- Available places
- 65
- Teachers
- Atte Kollanus, Virtuaalilehtori Sosiaaliala, Sanna Jattu, Leena Udo, Virtuaalilehtori 2 Sosiaaliala, Atte Kollanus, Leena Korhonen, Marjaana Marttila, Leena Korhonen, Tuntiopettaja Sosiaaliala, Virtuaalilehtori 2 Sosiaaliala, Virtuaalilehtori Sosiaaliala, Niina Pietikäinen, Tarja Isomäki, Virtuaalilehtori Sosiaaliala, Virtuaalilehtori Sosiaaliala, Heini Sajalin, Virtuaalilehtori Sosiaaliala, Vesa Vainiomäki, Virtuaalilehtori 2 Sosiaaliala, Heini Sajalin, Tiina Häkkinen, Virtuaalilehtori 2 Sosiaaliala, Tiina Lintunen, Anu Hellesuo, Tiina Häkkinen, Sanna-Maija Kohonen, Atte Kollanus, Mari Nieminen
Opintojen sisältämät toteutukset
AKE03VK27POLKU Encounters and professional interaction
Sisältö
• professional people skills and dialogue in customer work
• ethical principles in interactions and customer work
• sensitivity in interactions
• basics of simplified language in social customer work
• language skills
• group activities and dialogue in a group
• basics of occupational safety, anticipation and prevention in challenging customer situations
• professional reflection skills
• ethical principles in interactions and customer work
• sensitivity in interactions
• basics of simplified language in social customer work
• language skills
• group activities and dialogue in a group
• basics of occupational safety, anticipation and prevention in challenging customer situations
• professional reflection skills
Learning outcomes
Students
• know how to develop their interaction skills in ethically sensitive human rights-related interactions with all kinds of people in various life situations
• understand the customer’s diversity and life experiences as the basis for interaction and actions
• know the basics of language awareness and simplified language
• know how to consider safety in challenging customer situations
• are familiar with group dynamics and know how to act in groups
• know how to reflect on their actions and interaction skills
• know how to develop their interaction skills in ethically sensitive human rights-related interactions with all kinds of people in various life situations
• understand the customer’s diversity and life experiences as the basis for interaction and actions
• know the basics of language awareness and simplified language
• know how to consider safety in challenging customer situations
• are familiar with group dynamics and know how to act in groups
• know how to reflect on their actions and interaction skills
Grading scale
0-5
MUU01VK27POLKU Finnish society, social security and service system
Sisältö
• sections of welfare
• differences in welfare
• development of the Finnish society and welfare state and changes in the way of life
• megatrends
• basis of social policies
• basics of social legislation
• income security and social insurance
• a service system that promotes welfare and social safety
• changes, development programmes and projects and renewal challenges in social and healthcare services
• the customer’s/patient’s position and rights in the social and healthcare service system
• differences in welfare
• development of the Finnish society and welfare state and changes in the way of life
• megatrends
• basis of social policies
• basics of social legislation
• income security and social insurance
• a service system that promotes welfare and social safety
• changes, development programmes and projects and renewal challenges in social and healthcare services
• the customer’s/patient’s position and rights in the social and healthcare service system
Learning outcomes
Students
• understand the areas of welfare
• identify the state of Finnish welfare and differences in welfare
• are familiar with changes in the Finnish society, welfare state and way of life
• know how to analyse the basis of social policies and which fields social work is carried out in
• are familiar with the basics of social legislation
• are familiar with income security and social insurance
• understand the service system that promotes welfare and social safety
• identify with key changes in social and health services as well as service development programmes and projects
• understand the customer’s/patient’s position and rights in the social and healthcare service system
• understand the areas of welfare
• identify the state of Finnish welfare and differences in welfare
• are familiar with changes in the Finnish society, welfare state and way of life
• know how to analyse the basis of social policies and which fields social work is carried out in
• are familiar with the basics of social legislation
• are familiar with income security and social insurance
• understand the service system that promotes welfare and social safety
• identify with key changes in social and health services as well as service development programmes and projects
• understand the customer’s/patient’s position and rights in the social and healthcare service system
Grading scale
0-5
OKKVK27POLKU Orientation to higher education studies
Sisältö
• study orientation
• Diak’s learning environments and tools
• the Diak way of thinking, including the development-oriented work approach and the principles of professional critical reflection
• Diak’s study principles and guidelines
• Diak’s library services and databases
• Diak’s learning environments and tools
• the Diak way of thinking, including the development-oriented work approach and the principles of professional critical reflection
• Diak’s study principles and guidelines
• Diak’s library services and databases
Learning outcomes
Students
• are familiar with the Diak way of thinking, including the development-oriented work approach and the principles of professional critical reflection
• know how to start their professional growth process
• are familiar with Diak’s study principles and learning tools
• know the principles of critical information retrieval
• are familiar with the Diak way of thinking, including the development-oriented work approach and the principles of professional critical reflection
• know how to start their professional growth process
• are familiar with Diak’s study principles and learning tools
• know the principles of critical information retrieval
Grading scale
0-5
VAR01VK27POLKU Basics of early childhood education and care and social pedagogy in early childhood education and care
Sisältö
• documents and legislation guiding and directing early childhood education
• social pedagogy in early childhood education
• inclusion pedagogy and play
• educational activity planning, implementation, documentation and assessment process
• educational collaboration
• work of an educator team
• quality and evaluation in early childhood education
• sensitivity to cultures and beliefs, equality, parity and diversity
• social pedagogy in early childhood education
• inclusion pedagogy and play
• educational activity planning, implementation, documentation and assessment process
• educational collaboration
• work of an educator team
• quality and evaluation in early childhood education
• sensitivity to cultures and beliefs, equality, parity and diversity
Learning outcomes
Students
• know the basics and principles of early childhood pedagogy as part of the Finnish education system and life-long learning
• understand social pedagogy as the framework of pedagogical thinking and implementation of early childhood education
• are familiar with and know how to apply documents and legislation guiding and governing early childhood education
• know how to plan, implement, document and assess child-oriented pedagogy
• support children’s participation and their characteristic activity: playing
• know how to act in a culture and belief sensitive manner and support equality, parity and diversity in early childhood education
• are familiar with the quality and evaluation of early childhood education and the key working methods of a functional educator team
• know the basics and principles of early childhood pedagogy as part of the Finnish education system and life-long learning
• understand social pedagogy as the framework of pedagogical thinking and implementation of early childhood education
• are familiar with and know how to apply documents and legislation guiding and governing early childhood education
• know how to plan, implement, document and assess child-oriented pedagogy
• support children’s participation and their characteristic activity: playing
• know how to act in a culture and belief sensitive manner and support equality, parity and diversity in early childhood education
• are familiar with the quality and evaluation of early childhood education and the key working methods of a functional educator team
Grading scale
0-5
VAR02VK27POLKU Supporting children’s development, learning and wellbeing in early childhood education
Sisältö
• development of a child in early childhood education and the related challenges
• three-level support and inclusion in early childhood education
• educational, care-based and structural support in early childhood education
• observation and documentation of a child’s growth, development and learning in early childhood education
• multisectoral and multi-professional early childhood education and cooperation networks, a parent-inclusive working culture
• three-level support and inclusion in early childhood education
• educational, care-based and structural support in early childhood education
• observation and documentation of a child’s growth, development and learning in early childhood education
• multisectoral and multi-professional early childhood education and cooperation networks, a parent-inclusive working culture
Learning outcomes
Students
• know the foundations of the development process and developmental challenges of children in early childhood education
• are familiar with the principles and practices of the three-level support of the child’s development, learning and wellbeing
• understand the key concepts of inclusion and inclusive pedagogy and their legal basis
• are familiar with and know how to apply various support activities to support children’s development and learning
• know how to use observation and documentation methods to support children’s growth and development
• understand the role of cooperation with families in supporting children
• know how to work in multisectoral and multi-professional early childhood education networks
• know the foundations of the development process and developmental challenges of children in early childhood education
• are familiar with the principles and practices of the three-level support of the child’s development, learning and wellbeing
• understand the key concepts of inclusion and inclusive pedagogy and their legal basis
• are familiar with and know how to apply various support activities to support children’s development and learning
• know how to use observation and documentation methods to support children’s growth and development
• understand the role of cooperation with families in supporting children
• know how to work in multisectoral and multi-professional early childhood education networks
Grading scale
0-5
VAR03VK27POLKU Group instruction and supporting family wellbeing in early childhood education
Sisältö
• learning environments and working culture in early childhood education
• holistic pedagogy
• interactive, advisory and pedagogical skills
• instruction of children, formation of groups, peer groups
• prevention of bullying, social exclusion and inequality in early childhood education
• supporting parenting and the inclusion of parents
• wellbeing risks in a child’s growth environment, intervention, and guiding parents in the service system for children and families
• holistic pedagogy
• interactive, advisory and pedagogical skills
• instruction of children, formation of groups, peer groups
• prevention of bullying, social exclusion and inequality in early childhood education
• supporting parenting and the inclusion of parents
• wellbeing risks in a child’s growth environment, intervention, and guiding parents in the service system for children and families
Learning outcomes
Students
• know how to build learning environments and a working culture in early childhood education that support children’s social wellbeing and growth
• know how to create and maintain a safe and positive educational relationship and instruction approach with a child and groups of children
• know how to utilise a social pedagogical approach in supporting a child’s growth and development as part of communities and society
• support the group formation of children and prevent bullying and social exclusion
• know how to support children’s and parents’ inclusion and agency and prevent inequality
• know how to build educational cooperation that supports families’ wellbeing and parents’ inclusion
• identify wellbeing risks in a child’s growth environments and know how to bring them up and guide parents in the service system for children and families
• know how to build learning environments and a working culture in early childhood education that support children’s social wellbeing and growth
• know how to create and maintain a safe and positive educational relationship and instruction approach with a child and groups of children
• know how to utilise a social pedagogical approach in supporting a child’s growth and development as part of communities and society
• support the group formation of children and prevent bullying and social exclusion
• know how to support children’s and parents’ inclusion and agency and prevent inequality
• know how to build educational cooperation that supports families’ wellbeing and parents’ inclusion
• identify wellbeing risks in a child’s growth environments and know how to bring them up and guide parents in the service system for children and families
Grading scale
0-5
AIK01VS27POLKU Social work with adults and young people
Sisältö
• poverty and underprivileged individuals as well as the state of being underprivileged passed down from one generation to the next
• social problems
• structures and processes causing marginalisation
• basis of preventative, outreach and rehabilitative adult and youth social work
• management of daily life and inclusion
• human rights
• social problems
• structures and processes causing marginalisation
• basis of preventative, outreach and rehabilitative adult and youth social work
• management of daily life and inclusion
• human rights
Learning outcomes
Students
• are familiar with phenomena related to poverty and underprivileged individuals as well as structures and processes causing marginalisation
• are familiar with the possibilities and challenges of adult and youth social work in preventative, outreach and rehabilitative work
• understand the significance of managing the daily life and promoting inclusion in customer work
• know how to analyse the realisation of human rights as they work with people in various life situations
• understand the connection of social wellbeing and sustainable development
• are familiar with phenomena related to poverty and underprivileged individuals as well as structures and processes causing marginalisation
• are familiar with the possibilities and challenges of adult and youth social work in preventative, outreach and rehabilitative work
• understand the significance of managing the daily life and promoting inclusion in customer work
• know how to analyse the realisation of human rights as they work with people in various life situations
• understand the connection of social wellbeing and sustainable development
Grading scale
0-5
AIK02VS27POLKU Social work as change work
Sisältö
• social work as change work at society, community and individual level
• legislation guiding and governing adult and youth social work
• structural social work, community social work and outreach work, individual-specific change work process
• the basis of rehabilitation and employment
• goal-oriented and inclusive documentation
• legislation guiding and governing adult and youth social work
• structural social work, community social work and outreach work, individual-specific change work process
• the basis of rehabilitation and employment
• goal-oriented and inclusive documentation
Learning outcomes
Students
• understand social work as change work at society, community and individual level
• are familiar with and know how to apply the central legislation guiding and governing adult and youth social work
• are familiar with the significance of rehabilitation and employment in strengthening the social ability to function and inclusion
• know how to document and assess the process of goal-oriented customer work
• understand social work as change work at society, community and individual level
• are familiar with and know how to apply the central legislation guiding and governing adult and youth social work
• are familiar with the significance of rehabilitation and employment in strengthening the social ability to function and inclusion
• know how to document and assess the process of goal-oriented customer work
Grading scale
0-5
ENSVS27POLKU First aid in social and church sector work
Sisältö
• contents of the first aid kit
• assessment of a lifeless person (ABCDE method)
• resuscitation of people of different ages
• recovery position of an consciousness person
• removing a foreign object from the airways (Heimlich manoeuvre)
• the most common seizures
• staunching the flow of blood and shock treatment
• supporting a fracture
• poisoning
• burns
• assessment of a lifeless person (ABCDE method)
• resuscitation of people of different ages
• recovery position of an consciousness person
• removing a foreign object from the airways (Heimlich manoeuvre)
• the most common seizures
• staunching the flow of blood and shock treatment
• supporting a fracture
• poisoning
• burns
Learning outcomes
Students
• know how to use basic first aid skills in social and church work
• know how to use basic first aid skills in social and church work
Grading scale
0-5
LAPVS27POLKU Social work with families with children and child protection
Sisältö
• factors that protect and hinder the growth, development and wellbeing of children and young people
• legislation governing child and family work and child welfare
• operating environments and forms of support of basic services for children, young people and families in line with the Social Welfare Act and the Child Welfare Act
• assessment of a child’s situation and need for support, processes of building a customer relationship and taking into account the networks of close contacts
• prioritising a child’s interests and a child-oriented professional approach
• ethicality, inclusion, a relationship-based approach and systematisation as the basis of professional work practices and intentional utilisation of methods that support these factors
• relevant and legal recording of a child’s documents
• legislation governing child and family work and child welfare
• operating environments and forms of support of basic services for children, young people and families in line with the Social Welfare Act and the Child Welfare Act
• assessment of a child’s situation and need for support, processes of building a customer relationship and taking into account the networks of close contacts
• prioritising a child’s interests and a child-oriented professional approach
• ethicality, inclusion, a relationship-based approach and systematisation as the basis of professional work practices and intentional utilisation of methods that support these factors
• relevant and legal recording of a child’s documents
Learning outcomes
Students
• understand the significance of the childhood growth environment as a protective and risk factor
• are familiar with and know how to apply the relevant guiding and governing legislation
• know the key operating environments, operators and forms of support of social work with families with children (child and family social work) and child protection
• know how to assess a child’s situation and need for support and are familiar with the processes of building a customer relationship
• know the principles and procedures of inclusive documentation with a focus on children, young people and families
• know the principles of professional work practices as well as various working methods
• understand the significance of the childhood growth environment as a protective and risk factor
• are familiar with and know how to apply the relevant guiding and governing legislation
• know the key operating environments, operators and forms of support of social work with families with children (child and family social work) and child protection
• know how to assess a child’s situation and need for support and are familiar with the processes of building a customer relationship
• know the principles and procedures of inclusive documentation with a focus on children, young people and families
• know the principles of professional work practices as well as various working methods
Grading scale
0-5
LUOVS27POLKU Creativity and functionality as a resource and expertise
Sisältö
• sectors of creativity and resources
• basis and objectives of creative, art-based and functional working
• creative, art-based and functional methods that increase wellbeing and resources
• supporting humans’ social agency through guidance
• examining and strengthening the student’s own creativity, resources and agency
• basis and objectives of creative, art-based and functional working
• creative, art-based and functional methods that increase wellbeing and resources
• supporting humans’ social agency through guidance
• examining and strengthening the student’s own creativity, resources and agency
Learning outcomes
Students
• recognise their own creativity and resources as part of wellbeing and expertise
• know how to use their creativity and resources in social work
• understand the basis and objectives of creative, art-based and functional social work
• are familiar with and know how to apply creative, art-based and functional methods in work carried out with various types of customers
• know how to support humans’ inclusion and social agency
• recognise their own creativity and resources as part of wellbeing and expertise
• know how to use their creativity and resources in social work
• understand the basis and objectives of creative, art-based and functional social work
• are familiar with and know how to apply creative, art-based and functional methods in work carried out with various types of customers
• know how to support humans’ inclusion and social agency
Grading scale
0-5
MUU02VS27POLKU Social security guidance
Sisältö
• statutory social security and complementary services
• basics of the rehabilitation system
• social security guidance
• key digital services in social security guidance
• basics of the rehabilitation system
• social security guidance
• key digital services in social security guidance
Learning outcomes
Students
• learn to guide customers when applying for statutory social security and complementary services
• are familiar with the basics of the rehabilitative system and its significance as an enabler of the ability to function and work
• are familiar with the key digital services in social security guidance
• learn to guide customers when applying for statutory social security and complementary services
• are familiar with the basics of the rehabilitative system and its significance as an enabler of the ability to function and work
• are familiar with the key digital services in social security guidance
Grading scale
0-5
SOS01VS27POLKU Work orientations and methods in social customer work
Sisältö
• theoretical background of work orientations and methods in social customer work
• socio-educational work orientations and methods
• methods of social guidance and service counselling
• methods of group instruction and community-based work
• inclusion-promoting methods and tools in customer work
• anticipation and proactive prevention as the basis for safe interaction
• socio-educational work orientations and methods
• methods of social guidance and service counselling
• methods of group instruction and community-based work
• inclusion-promoting methods and tools in customer work
• anticipation and proactive prevention as the basis for safe interaction
Learning outcomes
Students
• are familiar with various work orientations within social customer work and know how to act to strengthen inclusion in social customer work
• know how to use methods of social guidance and service counselling to support individuals and families in different life stages and situations
• learn group instruction skills and community-based methods
• know that anticipation and proactive prevention are the basis for safe interaction
• are familiar with various work orientations within social customer work and know how to act to strengthen inclusion in social customer work
• know how to use methods of social guidance and service counselling to support individuals and families in different life stages and situations
• learn group instruction skills and community-based methods
• know that anticipation and proactive prevention are the basis for safe interaction
Grading scale
0-5
SOS02VS27POLKU Social rehabilitation and its methods
Sisältö
• the social ability to function and need for rehabilitation
• social rehabilitation legislation
• social rehabilitation process and impact assessment
• social rehabilitation methods in customer work
• sociocultural motivation
• social rehabilitation legislation
• social rehabilitation process and impact assessment
• social rehabilitation methods in customer work
• sociocultural motivation
Learning outcomes
Students
• know how to investigate the customer’s social ability to function and rehabilitation needs
• are familiar with legislation regulating social rehabilitation and know how to apply the legislation
• know how to plan, execute and assess the social rehabilitation service process by supporting the customer’s inclusion and resources
• are familiar with and know how to use methods of social rehabilitation and social pedagogy
• know how to investigate the customer’s social ability to function and rehabilitation needs
• are familiar with legislation regulating social rehabilitation and know how to apply the legislation
• know how to plan, execute and assess the social rehabilitation service process by supporting the customer’s inclusion and resources
• are familiar with and know how to use methods of social rehabilitation and social pedagogy
Grading scale
0-5
Mental health and intoxicating substances
Sisältö
• protective and exposing factors (individual, community, society and global level)
• central legislation related to mental health, substance abuse and crisis work
• key concepts of mental health
• work that promotes and remedies mental health
• levels of substance use
• preventive, remedial and problem-reducing substance abuse work
• manifestation of crises
• principles of crisis work and forms of help
• reflection on professional growth
• central legislation related to mental health, substance abuse and crisis work
• key concepts of mental health
• work that promotes and remedies mental health
• levels of substance use
• preventive, remedial and problem-reducing substance abuse work
• manifestation of crises
• principles of crisis work and forms of help
• reflection on professional growth
Learning outcomes
Students
• understand individual, communal, social and cultural factors related to mental health and substance abuse
• know how to assess and analyse their values and attitudes to mental health and substance use and identify and reduce social stigmatisation
• are familiar with the central legislation related to mental health, substance abuse and crisis work
• understand the role of preventive, remedial and problem-reducing work in mental health, substance and crisis work
• understand the significance of factors protecting wellbeing and positive mental health
• know the basics of intoxicating substances and the risks and downsides related to their use
• understand the basics of how various crises manifest
• understand individual, communal, social and cultural factors related to mental health and substance abuse
• know how to assess and analyse their values and attitudes to mental health and substance use and identify and reduce social stigmatisation
• are familiar with the central legislation related to mental health, substance abuse and crisis work
• understand the role of preventive, remedial and problem-reducing work in mental health, substance and crisis work
• understand the significance of factors protecting wellbeing and positive mental health
• know the basics of intoxicating substances and the risks and downsides related to their use
• understand the basics of how various crises manifest
Grading scale
Hyväksytty/Hylätty
AKE01VK27POLKU Ethics and expertise in the social and church sectors
Sisältö
• central underlying sciences in the social and church sectors and the terms used in the professional fields
• diversity of tasks and responsibilities in the social and church sectors
• the history, current state and future of the professions
• the shared ethical basis of the professions
• Diak’s values
• diversity of tasks and responsibilities in the social and church sectors
• the history, current state and future of the professions
• the shared ethical basis of the professions
• Diak’s values
Learning outcomes
Students
• know how to analyse the multidisciplinary basis of expertise and the challenging changes of the future
• know the history and central terms of their professional field
• know how to analyse the view of humans and values behind their ethical actions
• are familiar with Diak’s values and basic task in the education system
• know how to analyse the multidisciplinary basis of expertise and the challenging changes of the future
• know the history and central terms of their professional field
• know how to analyse the view of humans and values behind their ethical actions
• are familiar with Diak’s values and basic task in the education system
Grading scale
0-5
AKE02VK27POLKU Human growth and development
Sisältö
• the physical and motor development, the cognitive, socio-emotional and ethical and moral development of human beings and the factors influencing them
• topical research and professional debate on human development
• reflection on one’s professional and personal development
• topical research and professional debate on human development
• reflection on one’s professional and personal development
Learning outcomes
Students
• understand the stages and areas of human development in the life cycle
• understand developmental diversity and individual developmental processes
• can use professionally the contents of the course in social and church work
• understand the stages and areas of human development in the life cycle
• understand developmental diversity and individual developmental processes
• can use professionally the contents of the course in social and church work
Grading scale
0-5