Together and alone a study of interactions between toddlers and childcare providers during mealtime in Norwegian childcare centres

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the quality of interactions between childcare providers and toddlers during a lunch in childcare centres. Meals in childcare centres are semi-structured adult-led situations where the children not only eat, but are also provided with opportunities for implicit learning and interactions. Participants were 13 toddlers aged about 18 months in 11 different childcare centres in a Norwegian municipality. Video recordings were analysed for organization and structure, relational climate and childcare provider–child interactions, weighting provider sensitivity, language support and facilitated exploration. Findings indicated good quality regarding the organization of meals and relational climate in about half of the centres. Sensitivity, language support and facilitated exploration showed low quality across the different centres and are a cause for concern. Implications of the findings are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Childcare
• toddlers
• interactions
• mealtime
• video-based observations

Notes on contributors

Trine Klette is an associate professor at Diakonova Univerisity College, Norway. Her research interests include child care, early interactions, attachment and health development.

May Britt Drugli is a professor at The Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare Central Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway and Centre of the Study of Educational Practice (SePU), Hedmark University College, Norway. Her research interests include early child care, student-teacher relationships, mental health problems in day care and school and evaluation of treatment of child conduct problems.

Anne Mari Aandahl is an assistant professor at Diakonova University College, Norway. Her research interests are social inequalities in health, community development and health and demographics.