Skal vi lege? Leg, identitet og fællesskaber i børnehaven.

The objective of this study is to examine child play, including why play is important in the everyday life of children at kindergartens.  The book introduces psychological theories of play relating to power play, role play, equality and the relationship between a child’s real and symbolic identity in play. On this basis, a theory is presented on fantasy group-play.

It is concluded that play is fun and without problems for children, but that it is also a serious activity as it affects children’s relationships, identity and sense of community. The research presents ideas on how the theory on fantasy group-play should be applied in pedagogical practice. The group perspective is useful with regard to understanding the more serious aspects of play.   When children play, they appear to each other as real people, through roles and central and peripheral positions. Children want to be acknowledged and recognised as worthy and valued co-players in the community, because then a real identity is effective in all spheres of play.  Negotiations, power-play and influence are a compelling element of play in which children recognise and discover aspects of their social identity.

The data basis is 100 hours of observation at a kindergarten in the Copenhagen area of approximately 60 children, as well as interviews with the children. The analysis builds on 41 examples of fantasy group-play.

Winther-Lindqvist, D.A. (2006). Skal vi lege? Leg, identitet og fællesskaber i børnehaven. København: Frydenlund.