Children’s active participation during meals in Early Childhood and Care Institutions

From the Introduction: How do Early Childhood and Care Institutions (ECCs) arrange their meals? Several studies find that meals are often regulated and managed by adults so that the children have few opportunities for spontaneous speech and expressions (Smidt, 2003; Markström and Hallden, 2009). The meals also appear to be characterized more and more by a focus on health and proper diet (Smidt, 2003). It seems that self-control and strict dietary rules have taken precedence over other aspects of shared meals. If true, this deviates from current ideals about children's involvement, active participation and exploration. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Kindergarten Act passed by the Norwegian Parliament (2005) and the General Plan for ECCs (FPK2017) focus on the right of children to participate. According to the General Plan, ECCs have an obligation to provide the opportunity for children's participation by facilitating and encouraging children to express their views on everyday activities. The children should be given regular access to participate in and have influence on the planning and assessment of the activities. The purpose of this theoretical review is to reflect on how ECC staff arrange the meals and how children are given opportunities to actively participate during meals in Early Childhood and Care institutions (ECCs). This is mainly a theoretical study in which I discuss a selection of findings from previous research in light of Norbert Elias's theory of civilization (1994). First of all, I will refer to research on the organization of meals in ECCs. I will then discuss possible consequences when emphasizing rules and routines in light of Elias' perspectives on civilization as a phenomenon. Finally, I will present research that illustrates how to open for children's active participation to a greater extent (Ahlmann, 2010; Andersen and Holm, 2013; Bae, 2009; Bjørgen, 2009; Brunosson, 2012; Grindland et al, 2011; Iversen and Sabinsky, 2011; Johansson and Pramling Samuelson, 2001; Smidt, 2012). The research I refer to is mainly from ECCs in the Nordic countries. Some of the research that has been chosen is from UK and US because they are of special interest for my study

Children’s active participation during meals in Early Childhood and Care Institutions

From the Introduction: How do Early Childhood and Care Institutions (ECCs) arrange their meals? Several studies find that meals are often regulated and managed by adults so that the children have few opportunities for spontaneous speech and expressions (Smidt, 2003; Markström and Hallden, 2009). The meals also appear to be characterized more and more by a focus on health and proper diet (Smidt, 2003). It seems that self-control and strict dietary rules have taken precedence over other aspects of shared meals. If true, this deviates from current ideals about children's involvement, active participation and exploration. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Kindergarten Act passed by the Norwegian Parliament (2005) and the General Plan for ECCs (FPK2017) focus on the right of children to participate. According to the General Plan, ECCs have an obligation to provide the opportunity for children's participation by facilitating and encouraging children to express their views on everyday activities. The children should be given regular access to participate in and have influence on the planning and assessment of the activities. The purpose of this theoretical review is to reflect on how ECC staff arrange the meals and how children are given opportunities to actively participate during meals in Early Childhood and Care institutions (ECCs). This is mainly a theoretical study in which I discuss a selection of findings from previous research in light of Norbert Elias's theory of civilization (1994). First of all, I will refer to research on the organization of meals in ECCs. I will then discuss possible consequences when emphasizing rules and routines in light of Elias' perspectives on civilization as a phenomenon. Finally, I will present research that illustrates how to open for children's active participation to a greater extent (Ahlmann, 2010; Andersen and Holm, 2013; Bae, 2009; Bjørgen, 2009; Brunosson, 2012; Grindland et al, 2011; Iversen and Sabinsky, 2011; Johansson and Pramling Samuelson, 2001; Smidt, 2012). The research I refer to is mainly from ECCs in the Nordic countries. Some of the research that has been chosen is from UK and US because they are of special interest for my study.acceptedVersio

Foreldres posisjonering i møte med barnehagelæreres fagkunnskap. En studie av foreldresamtaler i barnehagen.

Artikkelen baserer seg på en studie av åtte foreldresamtaler i to norske barnehager der vi undersøker hvordan foreldre posisjonerer seg i møte med barnehagelærerens fagkunnskap. Som teoretisk ramme for artikkelen har vi valgt Antony Giddens' modernitetsteori (1991) samt Luk van Langenhove og Rom Harrès posisjoneringsteori (1994). Foreldrene i vår studie posisjonerer seg ulikt i møte med barnehagelærerens fagkunnskap. Flere gir uttrykk for en avhengighet som kan tolkes som aktiv tillit. Våre funn understreket viktigheten av foreldrenes tillit til at barnehagens fagkunnskap forvaltes på måter som ivaretar likeverdigheten i relasjonen.publishedVersio

Improving glycaemic control and life skills in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A randomised, controlled intervention study using the Guided Self-Determination-Young method in triads of adolescents, parents and health care providers integrated into routine paediatric outpatient clinics

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adolescents with type 1 diabetes face demanding challenges due to conflicting priorities between psychosocial needs and diabetes management. This conflict often results in poor glycaemic control and discord between adolescents and parents. Adolescent-parent conflicts are thus a barrier for health care providers (HCPs) to overcome in their attempts to involve both adolescents and parents in improvement of glycaemic control. Evidence-based interventions that involve all three parties (i.e., adolescents, parents and HCPs) and are integrated into routine outpatient clinic visits are lacking. The Guided Self-Determination method is proven effective in adult care and has been adapted to adolescents and parents (Guided Self-Determination-Young (GSD-Y)) for use in paediatric diabetes outpatient clinics. Our objective is to test whether GSD-Y used in routine paediatric outpatient clinic visits will reduce haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations and improve adolescents' life skills compared with a control group.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Using a mixed methods design comprising a randomised controlled trial and a nested qualitative evaluation, we will recruit 68 adolescents age 13 - 18 years with type 1 diabetes (HbA1c > 8.0%) and their parents from 2 Danish hospitals and randomise into GSD-Y or control groups. During an 8-12 month period, the GSD-Y group will complete 8 outpatient GSD-Y visits, and the control group will completes an equal number of standard visits. The primary outcome is HbA1c. Secondary outcomes include the following: number of self-monitored blood glucose values and levels of autonomous motivation, involvement and autonomy support from parents, autonomy support from HCPs, perceived competence in managing diabetes, well-being, and diabetes-related problems. Primary and secondary outcomes will be evaluated within and between groups by comparing data from baseline, after completion of the visits, and again after a 6-month follow-up. To illustrate how GSD-Y influences glycaemic control and the development of life skills, 10-12 GSD-Y visits will be recorded during the intervention and analysed qualitatively together with individual interviews carried out after follow-up.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will provide evidence of the effectiveness of using a GSD-Y intervention with three parties on HbA1c and life skills and the feasibility of integrating the intervention into routine outpatient clinic visits.</p> <p><b>Danish Data Association ref nr. 2008-41-2322</b></p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN54243636">ISRCTN54243636</a></p