Harassment in ECEC institutions: 4- to 6-year-old children’s experiences.

The study explores how children who are frequently harassed in kindergarten experience their general subjective well-being and the relationships with staff and peers. The researchers investigate whether there are significant differences between these children's experiences compared to children who are not frequently harassed. The research question is: How do children who are often harassed in kindergarten view their subjective well-being and social relationships in the institution compared to children who do not experience frequent harassment?

The results show that harassed children generally had more negative experiences of well-being and social relationships. The staff played more with the harassed children, but the children perceived the adults as busy and unavailable when they needed them. The study suggests that the experience of harassment is linked to the complexity of social relationships and emotions. The researchers behind the study believe that qualified staff who are involved in children's play and are warm and sensitive can help prevent harassment and improve children's well-being.

The data material consists of responses from 3598 children aged four to six years, collected through the Norwegian ECEC Well-being Monitor, an electronic questionnaire with 50 questions that focuses on children's experiences in kindergarten. The questions cover friendships, relationships with employees, activities and general subjective well-being.

Seland, M., Moe, B., & Sandseter, E. B. H. (2021). "Harassment in ECEC institutions: 4- to 6-year-old children’s experiences", Early Years, DOI:10.1080/09575146.2021.1958198