Making oneself heard – children's experiences of empowerment in Swedish preschools

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• children
• empowerment
• photo-elicitation interview
• puppets
• preschool
• Sweden

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the children who participated in this study.

Notes on contributors

Anna-Lena Almqvist, Ph.D. in sociology, works as a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Mälardalen University. Her main research interests and publications focus on different aspects of the family in relation to family policy, the market and the state. Topics are the reconciliation of work and family, fathers' use of parental leave, as well as child-centred research, comparatively as well as nationally and internationally.

Lena Almqvist, Associate Professor in Psychology at Mälardalen University. Her main research interest is targeted on young children's mental health and participation. Specific topics are children's engagement and self-regulation, teacher responsiveness and peer-interaction. She also has a specific interest in research methods that capture the complexity of multidimensional outcomes as well as the child's perspective in issues that concerns them.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Mayflower Charity Foundation for Children.