1. 03. Studying perspectives on kindergarten mealtime: Methodological reflections
- Author
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Hansen, Stine Rosenlund, Hansen, Mette Weinreich, and Kristensen, Niels Heine
- Subjects
050906 social work ,05 social sciences ,050301 education ,130102 Early Childhood Education (excl. Maori) ,FOS: Educational sciences ,0509 other social sciences ,130313 Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators ,0503 education ,130202 Curriculum and Pedagogy Theory and Development - Abstract
Drawing on a recent doctoral research project that examined the everyday life perspectives during kindergarten mealtime, this paper discusses the methodological issues related to the concepts of child and adult perspectives during mealtime, and to the children’s participation in research. Through the paper, we take part in a critical discussion of the dichotomization of child and adult perspectives (Lee, 2001; Spyrou, 2011; Wyness, 2013). Instead, we suggest to approach perspectives as something that is created through situated interactions between human and nonhuman elements. We argue that perspectives could be studied as constructed from a net of human, material, and discursive elements. In doing so, we also question children’s participation in research as a source for production of knowledge that is more authentic than that produced by adults (Gallacher & Gallagher, 2008; Lomax, 2012). Hence, the kindergarten mealtime will provide the arena for discussing methodological issues that are relevant beyond studies on food and meals.International Research in Early Childhood Education, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 33–48
- Published
- 2016
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