Exploring children's well-being in daycare: how do children feel all day?. Issue 5 (3rd September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fukkink, Ruben G.
• Is Part Of: European early childhood education research journal. Volume 30:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: 730
• Page End: 744
• Publication Date: 2022-09-03
• Subjects: Well-being -- sensitivity -- childcare -- early childhood education and care (ECEC) -- time-sampling -- infant -- toddler; Early childhood education -- Research -- Periodicals; 372.2107204
• DOI: 10.1080/1350293X.2021.2007971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-293X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In an exploratory, intensive case study, we investigated the well-being of young children (0–4 years) with a time-sampling design. The total sample included 940 individual observations for 30 children during four consecutive weeks. Data collection involved external coding of videotaped episodes and caregiver- and parent-reported measures. Well-being was, on average, neutral for most children, but fluctuated significantly throughout the day. The level of well-being was higher during free play and caregiver-led activities, compared to lunch/snack and transitions during the program. Conflicts with other children were related to lower levels of well-being. Elder children had higher levels of well-being. We discuss implications for future research and practice to increase children's well-being in early childhood education and care.