Voimavarais­tava ja inklusi­ivi­nen kielen oppiminen

Objective

Empowering and inclusive language learning (EMIL/VOIKO in Finnish) project aims to enhance early childhood education professionals’ ability to support multilingual children and their families. The project develops and pilots methods that facilitate Finnish language learning and can be adapted for preschool and basic education. A strength-based approach is emphasized to equip professionals with the necessary skills to engage with multilingual families effectively.

Key Objectives

• Develop and pilot methods that support Finnish language learning in early childhood education.
• Create strength-based working methods for collaboration between professionals and multilingual families.
• Produce educational materials and a toolkit for early childhood education and basic education.
• Utilize the living lab methodology in the development and assessment of methods.

Work Packages The five work packages of the project focus on different stages of development:

• Needs Assessment – Identifying the linguistic support needs of early childhood education professionals and multilingual families using the living lab methodology.
• Strength-Based and Language-Aware Work Method – Piloting a development strategy and practical tools for early childhood education.
• Multilingualism Supporting Finnish Learning (MOKSU) Method – Developing a pedagogical model to support Finnish language learning for multilingual children.
• Music and Language Learning – Creating teaching materials that integrate music to support language development.
• Coordination and Communication – Managing the project, disseminating results, and conducting evaluations.

Results and Impact The VOIKO project will produce a systematic toolkit that includes:

• The MOKSU method and its implementation guide.
• A music-based activity model to support language skills.
• A strength-based working method handbook for early childhood educators.

Through the pilots, early childhood education professionals’ skills in supporting multilingual children will be strengthened, and family engagement in language learning will increase. Inclusivity and interdisciplinary collaboration in language support will be enhanced, integrating best practices into early childhood and basic education.

 Follow the Project The developed materials and methods can also be applied in primary school S2 education and preparatory education. Follow the project and reach out if you are interested in collaboration!

📢 Follow the VOIKO Project: i4L Living Lab: Overview | LinkedIn
Kotoutumisen ja kielenoppimisen Living Lab i4L - Laurea University of Applied Sciences

📩 Contact: alina.leminen@laurea.fi

Project Partners 👥 Coordinator: Laurea University of Applied Sciences (i4L Living Lab)
🎓 Partner: University of Helsinki

Project Team:

Laurea:

• Alina Leminen –  Alina Leminen | LinkedIn
• Hilkka Lydén – LinkedIn
• Pia Nummila – LinkedIn
• Berenice Rivera-Macias – LinkedIn

University of Helsinki:

• Mari Tervaniemi – LinkedIn
• Ying Yang – LinkedIn
• Tina Iiskola