«Det er jo normale barn bortsett fra ...»En kvalitativ studie av barnehagelæreres opplevelse av en flerkulturell barnegruppe i barnehagen.

Abstract

Title: «It’s normal children except for ...». A qualitative study of kindergarten teachers’experiences working with a multicultural group of children in kindergarten. The discussion regarding multicultural children often revolves around their acquisition of the Norwegian language. This papers intent is to highlight different aspects regarding multicultural children’s participation in kindergarten. Based on kindergarten teachers’experiences working with a multicultural group of children, this paper aims at making prominent discourses visible and discuss these in light of theory. The theoretical basis is based upon the civilizing process and belonging. Kindergarten teachers’ understandings of what is considered civilized can result in politics of belonging which in turn can affect the individuals experience of belonging. The theoretical basis also points to processes in kindergarten everyday life where some peopleexperience a greater possibility of orientation.The empirical material is based on semi-structured researchinterviews with four kindergarten teachers in two Norwegian kindergartens. A discourse analysis has been used withthe intent to make prominent discoursesvisibleacross the empirical material.Discourses regardingkindergarten as a civilizing arena, likeness and safetyisprominent.The discourses referto practices in kindergarten that can be important for the individualin their daily lives, but also in a future perspective.Key concepts:belonging,kindergarten as a civilization arena, likeness, multicultural children,politics of belonging, safety,the civilizing process