Authors

• Kuusipalo, Paula (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
• Kinossalo, Maiju (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
• Sihto, Jaakko (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
• Tiilikka, Tiina (Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences)
• Raziano, Alissia (Liège University)
• Drößler, Thomas (Zentrum für Forschung, Weiterbildung und Beratung an der Dresden)
• Rohr, Margund K. (Zentrum für Forschung, Weiterbildung und Beratung an der Dresden)
• Wächter, Franziska (Zentrum für Forschung, Weiterbildung und Beratung an der Dresden)
• Amadasi, Sara (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
• Ballestri, Chiara (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
• Baraldi, Claudio (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia)
• Struzik, Justyna (Jagiellonian University in Krakow)
• Slusarczyk, Magdalena (Jagiellonian University in Krakow)
• Warat, Marta (Jagiellonian University in Krakow)
• Righard, Erica (Malmö University)
• Harju, Anne (Malmö University)
• Svensson Källberg, Petra (Malmö University)
• Frisch, Morten (Malmö University)
• Farini, Federico (University of Northampton)
• Murray, Jane (University of Northampton)
• Woodbridge-Dodd, Kim (University of Northampton)
• Prokopiou, Eva (University of Northampton)
• Scollan, Angela (University of Northampton)

Keywords

children, day nurseries, friends, immigrants, participation, pre-primary education, pre-primary school teachers, preschool children, social interaction

Abstract

The survey charted the experiences of preschool-aged children regarding preschool/day care, social activities, and encountering new situations. The data were collected as part of the Child-up research project, which aims to enhance understanding on the experiences of migrant children, young people, and their guardians regarding school, pre-school, and educational communities, as well as the experiences of the professionals working with them. The data were collected in Finland and Germany. The respondents included children both with and without immigrant backgrounds. The research project was funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation funding programme.

First, the children were asked whether they liked going to preschool, what they liked best in preschool, and what kinds of things they did together with their preschool teacher. The children also told the interviewer whether they had friends in or outside the preschool and how they thought their friends would describe them as a person.

Next, things that the children did not like at preschool were surveyed, and the children were asked how they dealt with these things (e.g. telling their parents about it or talking with their friends) as well as whether it helped them feel better. Communication with the preschool teacher was examined with questions on whether the children could talk to the teacher about their wishes or ideas and whether they thought the teacher listened to them.

The children were asked about the things they thought they were good at as well as the things that had been difficult for them to learn. The children's ways of dealing with the things they did not learn or succeed at immediately were also surveyed (e.g. whether they kept trying or asked for help). The children told the interviewers what they wanted to learn next, whether they thought it would be easy or difficult for them, and who they could ask for help or support. Finally, the children were asked what they thought about encountering new situations such as going to primary school soon, and who they could talk to about these kinds of new situations.

Background variables included the respondent's age, gender, immigrant background, country of birth, and mother tongue. Additional background information on the preschool group or class included the percentage of children with immigrant backgrounds in the group, number of different nationalities, and number of spoken languages.