Experiences and views of parents with diverse background of belonging to a preschool community in the transition from home to preschool.

• Main Author: Pálmadóttir, Hrönn
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Icelandic
• Published: Menntavísindasvið Háskóla Íslands 2022
• Subjects: parents; diverse background; preschool; transition; belonging; upphaf leikskólagöngu; foreldrar; fjölbreyttur bakgrunnur; fullgildi; Iceland
• Online Access: https://ojs.hi.is/index.php/netla/article/view/3577

This article is based on a study that sought to understand the experiences and views of parents with diverse backgrounds and their meaning of belonging to a preschool community in the context of their children’s transition to preschool. The relocation of people from other countries has significantly increased the diversity of families of preschool children in Iceland. Moreover, an increasing number of children are now entering preschool at younger ages. The transition from home to preschool can be complex and challenging for parents and children (Tobin, 2020). In Iceland, where inclusive schooling is based on democratic practices that emphasise equity, it is the official policy that all children participate in pedagogical work (Mennta- og menningarmálaráðuneytið [Ministry of Education and Culture], 2011). The present study is inspired by Yuval-Davis’s theory (2006, 2011) regarding the multifaceted concept of belonging and research addressing this notion. Belonging is thought to be related to the basic human need to experience a sense of belonging to other people, places and things; as such, an individual’s experience of belonging affects their learning, behaviour, well-being and self-perception (May, 2013; Stratigos et al., 2014). Yuval-Davis (2011) also distinguished between the sense of belonging and the politics of belonging. This article will answer the following two questions:What are parents’ experiences when transitioning from home to preschool?What are parents’ experiences and views regarding belonging to a preschool community?The staff of the preschool participating in the study had extensive experience working with families from diverse backgrounds. Children younger than two years of age begin preschool in the fall, and during the transition process, parents are expected to participate with their child for a few days to give staff the opportunity to learn about each child’s routines from their parents; at the same time, children and parents become familiar with the preschool’s learning environment. ...