A1 Journal article (refereed)
(Un)expected Emotions and Teamwork : Narratives of Early Childhood Education Practitioners (2024)

Hanhikoski, E., Alasuutari, M., Collin, K., Liinamaa, T., & Sevón, E. (2024). (Un)expected Emotions and Teamwork : Narratives of Early Childhood Education Practitioners. Nordic journal of working life studies, 14(2), 71-89. https://doi.org/10.18291/njwls.144191

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Hanhikoski, Essi; Alasuutari, Maarit; Collin, Kaija; Liinamaa, Tarja; Sevón, Eija

Journal or series: Nordic journal of working life studies

eISSN: 2245-0157

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 19/03/2024

Volume: 14

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 71-89

Publisher: Aalborg Universitet

Publication country: Denmark

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18291/njwls.144191

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96025

Abstract

This study investigates expectations of teamwork and related emotions as described by Finnish early childhood education practitioners. The data, which consist of video-cued interviews with 15 practitioners in early childhood education and care (ECEC), are examined with narrative-discursive analysis. Emotions are approached from a socio-constructivist perspective as narratively constructed. The results are presented as three narratives identified based on teamwork expectations: 1) narrative of inadequacy,2) narrative of injustice, and 3) narrative of support. The narratives describe how time constraints and unexpected changes in teamwork dictated from the top-down produce negative emotional narratives, as well as how the team’s expected support for each other evokes positive emotions and builds communality. The findings show that not only is teamwork an important emotional context in ECEC but also the limited possibilities for influencing teamwork practices evoke negative emotions that can affect the quality of teamwork and well-being at work in ECEC.

Keywords: early childhood education and care; early childhood education and care teachers; teamwork; working conditions; well-being at work; working environment; emotions; narrative analysis

Free keywords: health; working environment & wellbeing; organization & management; early childhood education practitioners; emotions at work; expectations; narratives; teamwork; work conditions

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1