Doing Space of Participation in Children's Peer Relations in Early Childhood Education

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Doing Space of Participation in Children's Peer Relations in Early Childhood Education
Language: English
Authors: Enni-Mari Ylikörkkö (ORCID 0000-0002-5213-5498), Outi Ylitapio-Mäntylä (ORCID 0000-0002-0516-2223), Anette Emilson (ORCID 0000-0001-7291-9292)
Source: Early Years: An International Journal of Research and Development. 2026 46(1):70-84.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Early Childhood Education, Peer Relationship, Student Participation, Preschool Children, Classroom Environment, Teacher Influence
Geographic Terms: Finland
DOI: 10.1080/09575146.2025.2486994
ISSN: 0957-5146
1472-4421
Abstract: This study aimed to deepen understanding of the 'doing space' of child participation in early childhood education (ECE), focusing on peer relations. The theoretical framework draws on a relational approach; child participation is a space that emerges in everyday social, material and cultural relations and its action. The narrative research material was produced in one Finnish ECE centre over one week. A dialogical analysis was carried out. Small stories are used as evocative anecdotes to demonstrate the findings. The analysis reveals that the doing space of participation in children's peer relations appears as continuously emerging in various verbal and embodied ways. The doing space occurs especially as a social space, where material and cultural relations intertwine. Additionally, the teacher appears to be crucial. Although children follow norms, they can challenge practices in ECE. The article contributes to ECE research by opening up new perspectives on child participation as a relational spatial phenomenon.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1503169
Database: ERIC
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