Børns fortællinger om social kapital i daginstitutionen.

This study is part of a three-year project, which is to examine how social capital can be promoted among children. The study is to form the basis for developing a new conceptual framework and a model for how social capital is displayed among four-to-five-year-olds at daycare centres.

The study shows that the institution is an important arena for the children’s formation of social capital outside the home. Children, parents and social pedagogues can all relate to conditions regarding social capital at the institution. The study points at six areas, which are important for children’s building of social capital at the institution: Toys and play-dates for inclusion, free play versus organised play, clear and predictable rules, helpfulness and responsiveness - ‘the oil that lubricates everyday life’, parental involvement and physical frameworks.

In terms of phenomenology and ethnography, research design is based on a combination of field studies and interviews. Observations of children in two kindergartens in interaction processes with other children have formed the basis for interviews of children at the ages of four to five as well as some interviews with parents, social pedagogues and managers. Analysis was primarily carried out on the basis of interviews in order to identify themes regarding social capital.

Børn og Forebyggelse Gentofte Kommune (2009). Børns fortællinger om social kapital i daginstitutionen. Gentofte: Børn og Forebyggelse, Gentofte Kommune.