Børnehavebørns socio-emotionelle erfaringer under COVID-19

The study investigates how changing environmental conditions in kindergartens during the COVID-19 pandemic affected children’s socioemotional experiences. The researchers sought to understand the connection between the physical and social environment, the relationships between the children and kindergarten staff, and the degree of parental involvement during the pandemic. The study also includes an analysis of parents’ perceptions of what was positive and negative about the changes. The research question is: What type of relationship exists between the changing kindergarten environment during COVID-19 and children’s socioemotional experiences, and what were the advantages and disadvantages of this changing environment according to parents?

The results showed that parents who had a positive perception of kindergarten also experienced that children had better relationships with adults and positive socioemotional experiences. Smaller groups and closer contact with regular educators were considered good for the well-being of children. However, many parents experienced less participation and communication, which affected their sense of connection to the kindergarten.

The data were collected through questionnaires answered by 395 parents from 24 kindergartens in five Danish municipalities. Parents reported about their satisfaction with kindergarten, concerns related to COVID-19 and their children’s socioemotional experiences. The questionnaires were answered at home, including both closed-ended questions and open-ended answers for qualitative insights.

Qvortrup, A., & Lomholt, R. (2022). Børnehavebørns socio-emotionelle erfaringer under COVID-19. Paideia-tidsskrift for professionel pædagogisk praksis, (23), 59–77.