Browsing by Author "Mansala, Jessica"

Portfolios have traditionally been used by different professional groups to demonstrate their competence. More recently they have become a relatively common tool to document the pedagogical practice taking place in schools and kindergartens. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how childrens' portfolios are used as part of the pedagogical practice in kindergartens. The focus of the study is on the kind of material that is documented in the portfolios and whether it is possible through the portfolio method to support childrens' learning. The empirical part of the study was conducted as a qualitative content analysis. 14 childrens' portfolios were analyzed using this method. Qualitative content analysis gives a wider freedom to interpret the material included in the portfolios and thus the analysis has taken on hermeneutical characteristics. The results show that the most prevalent themes in the portfolios are the child itself and the family, participation as well as language and socio-emotional skills. It is also apparent that the pedagogue's own attitude has a bearing on how the portfolio is applied in the pedagogical practice in the kindergarten.