Purpose
The thesis is based on a Swedish journal for the kindergarten sector (Barnträdgården) and analyses which didactic materials and methods the journal promoted in the period 1918–1945. The research questions are: (1) How did the journal’s content on materials and work methods create notions of kindergarten didactics? (2) What arguments were put forward for retaining or changing material and work methods?
Result
The study found that the journal influenced kindergarten design, activities, use of materials, methods and operations with the design of the ideal kindergarten (and kindergarten employees) as a goal, but also had impacts in the home and in society in general. One result of the study that is highlighted was the journal’s role in promoting both continuity and change: The new was placed in relation to the old, and the journal therefore had the role of disseminator of new materials and methods, while the journal’s editorial staff controlled the pace of development. Readers were also given a voice, which resulted in practitioners and others being able to influence the design of the Swedish (and Nordic) kindergarten through the journal.
Design
Theory about methods for narrative interpretation of historical material constitutes the framework for the study’s analyses. The researcher closely read text and images in the 28 volumes (approximately 2600 pages) published between 1918 and 1945 and identified the themes presented by the texts and images.
References
Fredricson, A. M. (2020). “Barnträdgårdens didaktik. Kontinuitet och förändring i talet om material och arbetssätt i tidskriften Barnträdgården 1918-1945". Akademisk avhandling. Stockholms universitet.