A1 Journal article (refereed)
Teachers’ Perceptions of the Cultural Capital of Children and Families with Immigrant Backgrounds in Early Childhood Education (2023)

Lavanti, L., Harju-Luukkainen, H., & Kuusisto, A. (2023). Teachers’ Perceptions of the Cultural Capital of Children and Families with Immigrant Backgrounds in Early Childhood Education. Education Sciences, 13(10), Article 977. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13100977

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Lavanti, Lassi; Harju-Luukkainen, Heidi; Kuusisto, Arniika

Journal or series: Education Sciences

eISSN: 2227-7102

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 25/09/2023

Volume: 13

Issue number: 10

Article number: 977

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13100977

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89267

Abstract

Finnish society has become increasingly diverse relatively recently, notably during the past few decades. This paper explores the perceptions of early childhood education and care (ECEC) teachers (n = 11) about the cultural capital of those children and families growing up in immigrant background families and their sense of belonging in early childhood settings in Finland. We draw on curriculum frameworks to understand these constructs. The paper utilises Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital to conceptualise the sense of belonging for children and families with an immigrant background in Finnish ECEC. The interviews consisted of two pairs and two group interviews with teachers from four ECEC centres, each including two to four ECEC teachers. The data analysis is based on a constructivist grounded theory (CGT) informed content analysis. This approach shows how ECEC teachers’ pedagogical practices guide immigrant families and children in Finland towards a national identity. The findings indicate that play and language learning facilitated the development of cultural capital. Nonetheless, it is crucial to investigate the family viewpoint in the future.

Keywords: immigrants; immigrant background; children (age groups); families; national identity; early childhood education and care; early childhood education and care teachers; culture; cultural capital (social assets)

Free keywords: immigrant children; belonging; national identity; early childhood education and care; culture capital

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1