Å begynne i barnehagen – små barns prosess

The study investigates the effect of a Norwegian project, Small and New in Kindergarten, on Norwegian children’s adaptation in the transition between home and kindergarten. The study compares three groups of children, each of which received their own adaptation model. The research question is: How does the adaptation process take place during the first weeks for a group of one-year-olds, from a parent and staff perspective, and is there any difference between the three adaptation models used in the Small and New in Kindergarten project?

The traditional Norwegian adaptation model (C), where parents are present for the first three days of the process, resulted in more tired children after week two than the other two models; (A) five days of parent-active adaptation and (B) weekly visits in the spring and five days of parent-active adaptation. Model (B) resulted in the children feeling more assured on day one. Here, model (C) also had the poorest results. In conclusion, the author emphasises that it is important that the children receive a lot of peace and quiet, closeness and assurance at home during the adaptation period.

A total of 19 public and private kindergartens in a Norwegian city participated in the study (153 children). The data collection was conducted by parents and staff keeping log notes on days one, three, five and nine of the adaptation period. 

Drugli, M. B. (2020). “Å begynne i barnehagen – små barns prosess”. Pedagogisk psykologisk tidsskrift, 2020(4):69-79.