ERIC Number: EJ1052169
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0300-4430
EISSN: N/A
Making Oneself Heard--Children's Experiences of Empowerment in Swedish Preschools
Almqvist, Anna-Lena; Almqvist, Lena
Early Child Development and Care, v185 n4 p580-595 2015
Children's experiences of empowerment in relation to preschool peers and in child-adult interactions were studied, involving 25 four- to six-year-olds from four Swedish preschools. Group interviews using puppets comprised pre-constructed scenarios to examine preschools' activities. Children took photos of indoor and outdoor preschool environments, followed by a photo-elicitation interview. Data were analysed by content analysis. Results showed that authority was expressed in relation to teachers and parents. Children negotiated about handling situations and described relations with teachers as uncomplicated; the contrary was the case with peers. Structure meant that children could choose between courses of action within set frames, describing empowerment as decision-making within limitations. Results indicated the importance of preschool teachers stimulating children to reflect on their own ability by discussing issues concerning children's sense of empowerment, using methods similar to the ones in this study.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preschool Children, Student Empowerment, Student Experience, Interviews, Interpersonal Relationship, Adults, Interaction, Content Analysis, Photography, Interaction Process Analysis, Vignettes, Group Dynamics, Group Activities, Childhood Attitudes, Early Childhood Education, Qualitative Research, Puppetry
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A