‘It’s just fun, not even boring’
Children’s Views of their Preschool Rooms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25071/28169344.147Keywords:
Children, Preschool, Transition, Classroom environment, Children’s perspectivesAbstract
This study explores young children’s perspectives on their preschool learning environments following their transition from toddler classrooms. Drawing on the sociology of childhood framework, it centers children's voices to examine how they perceive their current classroom experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and child-led tours with seven preschoolers at a university-based childcare centre in Ontario. Thematic analysis revealed that children expressed overwhelmingly positive feelings toward their preschool rooms, highlighted preferred activities (particularly play), and demonstrated awareness of classroom rules and routines. Though the study originally aimed to explore children’s transition experiences, methodological limitations shifted the focus to their present classroom perceptions. This paper also discusses the implications of these limitations and reflects on the complexities of conducting research with young children from the standpoint of a novice researcher.
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