Four-to six-year-old children’s experiences of participating in different physical environments and activities in early childhood education and care institutions in Norway

The study investigates how children experience participation in different physical environments and activities in kindergarten. The research questions are:

1. How do 4-6 year old children experience participation in indoor and outdoor kindergarten environments?
2. How do 4–6-year-old children experience participation during circle time and on trips in kindergarten?

The study indicates that children experience more participation in the outdoor environment compared to the indoor environment, and that they feel they have little choice when it comes to participating in adult-controlled activities such as circle time and trips. Older children (6 years) report slightly more participation than younger children, both indoors and outdoors. It can be challenging for staff to balance consideration for the individual child against the needs of the entire group. The results also indicate that a safe outdoor environment and access to free play are important factors in strengthening children’s experience of participation, which in turn can have a positive impact on well-being.

The sample consisted of 3693 children aged 4–6 years (1799 boys and 1894 girls), from different kindergartens in Norway. A kindergarten employee, such as a pedagogical leader or an assistant, having a structured conversation with each child, carried out the data collection. The conversation was based on the kindergarten’s well-being monitor, which is a free survey designed for use in kindergartens.

Sivertsen, A. H., & Moe, B. (2022). Four-to six-year-old children’s experiences of participating in different physical environments and activities in early childhood education and care institutions in Norway. Education 3–13, 50(7), 857–867.

Online year: 2021

Issue year: 2022

Review year: 2022