Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education

Teaching practice is an essential part of Finnish early childhood teacher education. An experienced early childhood education and care (ECEC) teacher works as a supervisor for the student during the teaching practice. The supervisor's task is to support the development of the ECEC expertise of...

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Main Authors: Heidi Chydenius, Lauri Heikonen, Tuulikki Ukkonen-Mikkola, Katja Annala, Elina Fonsén, Tarja Liinamaa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Early Childhood Education Association Finland 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Early Childhood Education Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.fi/jecer/article/view/143923
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author Heidi Chydenius
Lauri Heikonen
Tuulikki Ukkonen-Mikkola
Katja Annala
Elina Fonsén
Tarja Liinamaa
author_facet Heidi Chydenius
Lauri Heikonen
Tuulikki Ukkonen-Mikkola
Katja Annala
Elina Fonsén
Tarja Liinamaa
author_sort Heidi Chydenius
collection DOAJ
description Teaching practice is an essential part of Finnish early childhood teacher education. An experienced early childhood education and care (ECEC) teacher works as a supervisor for the student during the teaching practice. The supervisor's task is to support the development of the ECEC expertise of the student teacher. In our research, we used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse the supervising ECEC teachers' perceived supervisory competence. The research data consist of nationwide survey data collected in the OHOSKE project from ECEC teachers acting as supervisors. The data were analysed using explorative factor analysis. The qualitative data used in the survey supported the research results. The results show that supervisory competence is built from two elements: 1) supervising the student's individual professional growth and learning, and 2) supervising the student as part of the professional community of ECEC. In addition, the results suggest that the perceived supervisory competence is connected to the completion of supervisory training. We propose that supervisory training should be offered for all the ECEC teachers acting as supervisors, and the training should be developed to consider the community element of supervision better. 
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publisher Early Childhood Education Association Finland
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series Journal of Early Childhood Education Research
spelling doaj-art-b01d6824e46d4dfa925ac35b48cfbd152025-08-20T02:03:16ZengEarly Childhood Education Association FinlandJournal of Early Childhood Education Research2323-74142025-06-0114110.58955/jecer.143923Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher educationHeidi Chydenius0Lauri Heikonen1Tuulikki Ukkonen-Mikkola2Katja Annala3Elina Fonsén4Tarja Liinamaa5University of Helsinki, University of Eastern FinlandUniversity of HelsinkiUniversity of HelsinkiUniversity of JyväskyläUniversity of JyväskyläUniversity of JyväskyläTeaching practice is an essential part of Finnish early childhood teacher education. An experienced early childhood education and care (ECEC) teacher works as a supervisor for the student during the teaching practice. The supervisor's task is to support the development of the ECEC expertise of the student teacher. In our research, we used quantitative and qualitative methods to analyse the supervising ECEC teachers' perceived supervisory competence. The research data consist of nationwide survey data collected in the OHOSKE project from ECEC teachers acting as supervisors. The data were analysed using explorative factor analysis. The qualitative data used in the survey supported the research results. The results show that supervisory competence is built from two elements: 1) supervising the student's individual professional growth and learning, and 2) supervising the student as part of the professional community of ECEC. In addition, the results suggest that the perceived supervisory competence is connected to the completion of supervisory training. We propose that supervisory training should be offered for all the ECEC teachers acting as supervisors, and the training should be developed to consider the community element of supervision better.  https://journal.fi/jecer/article/view/143923supervisory competenceECEC teacher educationteaching practice
spellingShingle Heidi Chydenius
Lauri Heikonen
Tuulikki Ukkonen-Mikkola
Katja Annala
Elina Fonsén
Tarja Liinamaa
Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education
Journal of Early Childhood Education Research
supervisory competence
ECEC teacher education
teaching practice
title Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education
title_full Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education
title_fullStr Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education
title_full_unstemmed Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education
title_short Teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of Finnish early childhood teacher education
title_sort teachers´perceived supervisory competence in supervising teaching practice in the context of finnish early childhood teacher education
topic supervisory competence
ECEC teacher education
teaching practice
url https://journal.fi/jecer/article/view/143923
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