Peruskäsitteisiin

Peruskäsitteisiin is a Finnish educational term used to refer to the essential concepts that underpin a subject area. The word peruskäsitteet denotes the basic concepts themselves, while peruskäsitteisiin appears in grammatical forms such as to the basic concepts or into the basic concepts within a discussion or curriculum. The concept emphasizes core ideas that are generalizable, enduring, and capable of supporting broader understanding beyond isolated facts.

In pedagogy, peruskäsitteisiin are central to learning progressions and curriculum design. They serve as anchors for organizing knowledge, guiding both teaching and assessment, and helping students build coherent mental models. Rather than focusing solely on vocabulary or procedures, instruction around peruskäsitteisiin aims to illuminate the underlying relationships, principles, and categories that connect topics within a subject.

Practically, teachers identify a set of peruskäsitteet for a unit or topic and design activities that make these concepts visible through explanations, examples, non-examples, and inquiry. Concept maps, comparative tasks, and situated problems are common methods for developing a deeper grasp of the peruskäsitteet. This approach supports transfer—students applying core ideas to new contexts and more advanced topics.

Examples of peruskäsitteisiin differ by subject. In mathematics, core concepts might include number, operation, and function; in science, matter, energy, and systems; in social studies, cause and effect and change over time. The aim is to enable learners to navigate complex subject matter by centering instruction on fundamental, reusable ideas. See also peruskäsitteet.