Børnehaveklassen in the Danish School System: A Place for Play?

This presentation involves an ongoing study in a Danish børnehaveklasse (kindergarten class, also known as prep-class). Børnehaveklassen has existed since 1962 and became mandatory and a part of the Danish compulsory education in 2009. In the year of becoming six, children attend børnehaveklassen as a preparation to the “real” school life, which is often characterized by the bridge-metaphor. As pupils, the children meet a more structured every day and new ways of working, but at the same time, the environment must include play “… as intrinsic value (value in itself) and as learning through play and playful activities” (Contents and goals for børnehaveklassen, § 2)

The aim of this study is to gain knowledge about how play and play opportunities are created, initiated, and unfolded in børnehaveklassen – and with what intentions in mind?