Of routine consideration: ‘civilising’ children’s bodies via food events in Swedish and English early childhood settings

The purpose of the study is to investigate in detail the ‘civilised’ child and how practices related to mealtimes in kindergartens in Sweden and England contribute to over-civilising children’s bodies.

In the study’s investigations of the over-civilisation of children’s bodies, generational differences come to the fore. The exaggerated focus on managing children’s bodies limits the children’s bodies as ‘uncivilized’ in contrast to the ‘civilized’ bodies of the adults.

The kindergarten employees who were observed and interviewed had different views on bodily rules. The various views also show that there is evidence of negotiations and disagreements between kindergarten employees regarding mealtimes. Some kindergarten employees emphasised stricter rules about food and what and how the children eat. Other kindergarten employees believed that the most important thing about the mealtimes was that the children gained a positive experience regarding communal meals.

In addition to data that can be understood within the framework of ‘civilising’ the body, much of the data in the study can also show that the children and the kindergarten employees are engaged in a continuous process of co-creation and negotiations about the rules of behaviour related to meals.

The study points to a discrepancy between the pedagogy used during mealtimes compared to other parts of the day. The authors believe that in order to challenge the hegemonic norms of age and ‘civilisation’, and allow room for democracy in kindergarten – including mealtimes, it is important that employees consider the children’s negotiations and opposition to the rules when making their assessments.

This study is based on data from two different ethnographic projects, one in Sweden and one in England.

The Swedish part of the study was conducted in two Swedish kindergartens in a Swedish city with children aged 1-5 years old and 3-5 years old, and investigated how children and adults related to norms about age and gender in everyday life. This included settings such as mealtimes, play and circle sessions. The data collection for this part of the study took place over 2 years, involving visits to the kindergartens 2-3 times a week.

The English part of the study was conducted in four kindergartens in the London area with children aged 6 months to 5 years old. This part of the study investigated practices related to food and drink. The data collection for this part of the study took place over 3 years, involving visits to the kindergartens once a week.

The method of data collection mainly involved participatory observation, in addition to field notes with regular reflections and participant interviews consisting of informal conversations with both children and kindergarten employees.

Albon, D. & Hellman, A. (2019). “Of routine consideration: ‘civilising’ children’s bodies via food events in Swedish and English early childhood settings”. Etnography and Education, 14(2):153-169.