“A long way to get here and a long way to go”: a case study on changing lunch meal practices in a Norwegian kindergarten

The study investigates how a deliberate change in mealtime practices in a Norwegian kindergarten, from traditional cold sandwich-based lunches to hot lunches, was implemented. The researchers investigate what the change entailed, why it was implemented, and how the transition was carried out. In addition, the study highlights children’s role as active change partners and how their participation increased the chance of successful implementation. The research questions are:

1. How did the kindergarten facilitate the change of lunch practice?
2. What factors contributed to the change in kindergarten being successful?

The results show that the change to hot lunches in kindergarten was successful, with positive feedback from both children and adults. Children showed increased acceptance of new foods, particularly through modelling by older children. Parental engagement and positive feedback strengthened the change process. The educators reported that they had more time to be with the children during meals since the kitchen staff took over the responsibility of the food preparation.

The data were collected through six semi-structured interviews with kindergarten teachers, kitchen staff and the kindergarten coordinator. In addition, 11 hours of video recordings of meals were conducted, along with observation notes. A total of 36 children aged 3 to 5 years were observed. The data material was analysed using a thematic approach, both inductively and deductively, based on Fullan’s model for change.

Ciren, B., Aadland, E. K., Hu, A., & Wergedahl, H. (2023). “A long way to get here and a long way to go”: a case study on changing lunch meal practices in a Norwegian kindergarten. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 31(3), 311–325.

Online year: 2022

Issue year: 2023

Review year: 2022