A1 Journal article (refereed)
Lasten osallisuuden jännitteet varhaiskasvatuksessa (2021)

Sevón, E., Hautala, P., Hautakangas, M., Ranta, M., Merjovaara, O., Mustola, M., & Alasuutari, M. (2021). Lasten osallisuuden jännitteet varhaiskasvatuksessa. Journal of Early Childhood Education Research, 10(1), 114-138. https://journal.fi/jecer/article/view/114152

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Sevón, Eija; Hautala, Paula; Hautakangas, Merja; Ranta, Minna; Merjovaara, Olli; Mustola, Marleena; Alasuutari, Maarit

Journal or series: Journal of Early Childhood Education Research

eISSN: 2323-7414

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 10

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 114-138

Publisher: Suomen varhaiskasvatus ry

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

Persistent website address: https://journal.fi/jecer/article/view/114152

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74499

Abstract

In the Finnish ECEC context, children’s participation may be a stated aim, but its actualisation with young children may be challenging owing to vagueness in the definition of children’s participation, the lack of more specific guidelines for participation-based practices, or to economic austerity measures introduced by municipalities. Simultaneously, an urgent need exists to develop educators’ expertise in how to work with diversity among children, that is, how to meet the demands of participation in increasingly heterogeneous ECEC groups. This study explores how professionals and students taking part in the “Oiva – Children’s rights and participation in early childhood education, pre-school and first grades” educational project talk about the promotion of young children’s participation rights, the situations that limit children’s participation, and exclusive or discriminatory practices in ECEC. The data comprise the evaluation interviews and group tasks of the participating students. We observed many tensions in their talk about the enhancement of children’s participation. However, The Oiva project was perceived as adding to the participants’ understanding of these tensions.

Keywords: children's rights; involvement (participation); early childhood education and care

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1