This article investigates how children
learn body movements in
informal social situations, and is
based upon close observation
and qualitative research interviews
undertaken among eightand
nine-year-old children in an
after-school programme (ASP) in
Oslo. The learning process is
described and discussed in relation
to the concepts of imitation,
joint attention and turn-taking.
The study shows that learning
body movements is usual during
child-managed activities in the
ASP, and occurs frequently as imitation.
The imitation process is
characterized by joint attention
and turn-taking. In best-friend
groups, joint attention, characterized
by shared involvement along
with intuitive turn-taking, is predominant.
In activity groups that
come together occasionally, considerable
initiative is required on
the part of the imitator in order
to become an active part of a
mutual process. It is recommended
to encourage child-managed
activities in ASP, and emphasize
the ASP’s complimentary
role in contrast to the school
