A1 Journal article (refereed)
Child–educator disagreements in Finnish early childhood education and care : young children’s possibilities for influence (2023)
Salonen, E., Koitto, E., Notko, M., Lahtinen, M., & Sevón, E. (2023). Child–educator disagreements in Finnish early childhood education and care : young children’s possibilities for influence. Early years: an international research journal, 43(4-5), 1075-1088. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2022.2051167
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Salonen, Eija; Koitto, Emma; Notko, Marianne; Lahtinen, Maria; Sevón, Eija
Journal or series: Early years: an international research journal
ISSN: 0957-5146
eISSN: 1472-4421
Publication year: 2023
Publication date: 31/03/2022
Volume: 43
Issue number: 4-5
Pages range: 1075-1088
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2022.2051167
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80469
Abstract
This study explores young children’s possibilities for influence in situations of child–educator disagreement in Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC). Data were gathered from observations conducted in four ECEC groups of under three year-olds. A total of 112 child–educator disagreements were analysed qualitatively using reflexive thematic analysis. Children’s influence was rather limited in most disagreements, as these involved the established institutional order as manifested in the rules and norms of daily activities and educators’ control over children’s bodies and material resources. However, disagreements over social rules and the ongoing social situation often allowed children to negotiate and contribute to the outcomes. By identifying the difficulties young children may face in resisting the institutional order, the study highlights the importance of developing practices that enable discussion of the settled rules of ECEC and thus regard young children’s right to have their views heard and considered in matters affecting them.
Keywords: early childhood education and care; children (age groups); preschoolers (age group); adults; early childhood education and care teachers; day care centres; interaction; opinions; conversation; influence; participation; child development
Free keywords: child–educator disagreements; children’s influence; children’s participation; institutional order; young children
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Konfliktit ja vallankäyttö lasten ja nuorten lähisuhteissa – tarkastelukohteena kerrotut tunteet ja toimijuus
- Sevon, Eija
- Finnish Cultural Foundation
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 1