Programme Objectives

The objectives of the Programme are fulfilled by attending organized courses and seminars, implementing group and individual projects and by preparing a Dissertation Thesis in accordance with international academic standards, the aim being:

a. to strengthen the professional identity of educators and other professionals who work or are going to work with children in formal and non-formal education structures, in order to be able to use contemporary theory and research, to reflect on their personal theories and practices and to be able to review and revise them and to respond creatively to current and future educational challenges and changes.

b. to develop an enquiring mindset towards the design of learning, teaching and research in early and middle childhood and the ability to produce innovative/changing pedagogical proposals through applied research and ongoing critical reframing leading to redesign.

c. to develop an understanding of the complexity of the learning of today’s children which develops simultaneously in the context of a variety of formal, non-formal and informal education settings and the recognition of the need for a transformative approach to learning and teaching.

d. to highlight the needs and rights of early and middle childhood children for high quality education, quality play, expression and creativity, respecting the multiple dimensions of their diversity.

e. to train young researchers who wish to pursue research (PhD level) using qualitative and quantitative research methods and modern research tools within a framework of ethical conduct and with respect for children as equal members of the educational process.

f. the development of collaborative skills for participation in interdisciplinary teams for the design and implementation of research and educational programmes with all kinds of scientific institutions, bodies and groups involved in formal and non-formal education both in Greece and abroad.