ERIC Number: EJ1190371
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Aug
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-7187
EISSN: N/A
Flexibly Scheduled Early Childhood Education and Care: Finnish Mothers' and Educators' Perceptions on Young Children's Experiences and Child-Responsive Practices
International Journal of Early Childhood, v50 n2 p193-209 Aug 2018
The study explores Finnish mothers' and educators' perceptions on young children's experiences and child-responsive practices related to flexibly scheduled early childhood education and care (ECEC). Data were gathered by ethnography-based interviews with mothers and educators of 1- to 3-year-old children attending this form of ECEC and qualitatively analysed using the method of inductive content analysis. According to the interviewees, young children experienced a multitude of feelings related to flexibly scheduled ECEC, ranging from the undesirable, such as strain, distress and confusion, to the desirable, such as comfort, satisfaction and understanding. The children's feelings were associated with different kinds of nonstandard ECEC schedules and the effects of these on their daily activities and social interactions. Child-responsive practices described by the interviewees included adjusting daily schedules, activities and social interactions at home and in ECEC to children's daily rhythms and needs. The findings point to the importance of taking young children's perspectives into account when seeking to enhance their well-being in the context of flexibly scheduled ECEC.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Mothers, Parent Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Preschool Teachers, Preschool Children, Preschool Education, Child Care, School Schedules, Stress Variables, Satisfaction, Psychological Patterns, Adjustment (to Environment), Interaction
Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2123/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A