The Pitfalls and Possibilities of Laughter—Sustainability in the Light of Parental Collaboration involving Refugee Parents

The study investigates how laughter affects the collaboration between kindergarten employees and parents with a refugee background, and how laughter can promote social and cultural sustainability in the kindergarten context through increased participation and sense of belonging. The study highlights how laughter can strengthen relationships and sense of belonging, but also create divisions that reinforce a perception of ‘us’ and ‘them’. The research question is: How does laughter manifest in the collaboration between kindergarten employees and parents with a refugee background within a kindergarten context, and what might the implications be in light of social and cultural sustainability?​

The results show that laughter can strengthen relationships between kindergarten employees and refugee parents by creating a sense of unity and security. At the same time, laughter can also lead to misunderstandings and create distance if cultural differences affect how laughter is perceived. The study highlights the importance of kindergarten staff being aware of how humour and laughter can affect communication in order to promote an inclusive and sustainable kindergarten practice.

The study uses a qualitative approach and a case study design to investigate the communication between kindergarten employees and refugee parents in a Norwegian kindergarten. The data were collected through observations over the course of six days, both when the children were dropped off and picked up, as well as during a parents’ meeting. The observation data were analysed using thematic analysis and open coding, paying particular attention to how laughter manifests and is interpreted in various social situations.

Myrann, M. K. (2023). The Pitfalls and Possibilities of Laughter—Sustainability in the Light of Parental Collaboration involving Refugee Parents. Nordisk barnehageforskning, 20(3), 164–184.