Abstract
13. Summary
The thesis discusses, which concepts and theories on health, bildung and didactics can be used for analysing, discussion and judging, whether the health educational work in a specific kindergarten is health promoting? In order to limit the topic focus is bound to the health educational work with food and meals.
The concept of health is discussed in the light of seven selected theories and concepts, whereafter the health concept of the author is presented and motivated. This is udfolded in four main categories: the physical, the psychological, the social and the room for learning, and a series of supporting concepts is developed and explained. The author’s understanding of health promotion and health education is presenteted and discussed. Current knowledge of child health, food and meal research is reviewed. The concept of bildung is discussed viewed from four different positions, and the position selected by the author is motivated. The concept of didactics is discussed based on among others Klafki’s critical contructive didactics and Hiim og Hippes relationistic didactic theory. The kindergarten as setting and the web of factors influencing the educational practice is unfolded based on Bronfenbrenners concepts on makro-, exo-, meso- and microlevels in mindset of setting. Law on educational plans for daycarechildren and current knowledge on children in daycare is discussed in relation to the focus of the thesis.
The emperical part builds upon observation of food and meal practice during two days
in a kindergarten selected based on “best practice” principle. Adding to this an insight in the workplan, educational plan and qualitative interviews with the leder, viceleder and a representative from the board of parents has contributed with valuable information related to the formulated problem.
13.1 Results, main conclusion and perspective
Based on the collected data it is judged that health educational work of this specifik kindergarten is pointing in a health promoting direction. The neoliberalistic policy in Danmark prioritizing private economical wealth and a low priority of food for daycarechildren, poor kitchenfacilities, low staff precription e.g. compared to Sweden is judged to be a restriction factor for the health promoting work. The authors health concept and didactics with adjacent categories and supporting concepts has proved suitable for encompassing the broad and positive concept of health in the analytical work. The validity of the results is resticted due to the short observation time. The study shall be seen as en exemplary picture and with this essential reservation the observed results are assumed to be reliable. The information from the qualitative interviews are judged to be reliable and valid. The interpretation is subjective by the author.
The selected kindergarten is considered typical for how the health educational work can be carried out practically. The kindergarten teacher, parents and children are involved, engaged and active participants in everyday life. A clear awareness in relation to the physical, the psychological, social and pedagogical environment is observed and revealed. The health educational practice can still be developed by increased awareness regarding the possibilities for categorical bildung in all kinds of relationships. According to the author, discussions on sustainability and environmental consideration should form a greater part of pedagogical work. The thesis shows, that systematic reseach in dailylife of children aimed at studying health and health promotion is possible, provided the concept of health is operationalized in relation to the context in which it will be applied. Research in child health in daycareinstitution in a broader perspective is a very sparsely studied topic which according to the author should receive more attention. Maybe CVU Sjælland should prioritize a Ph.d. stipendiate?
The thesis discusses, which concepts and theories on health, bildung and didactics can be used for analysing, discussion and judging, whether the health educational work in a specific kindergarten is health promoting? In order to limit the topic focus is bound to the health educational work with food and meals.
The concept of health is discussed in the light of seven selected theories and concepts, whereafter the health concept of the author is presented and motivated. This is udfolded in four main categories: the physical, the psychological, the social and the room for learning, and a series of supporting concepts is developed and explained. The author’s understanding of health promotion and health education is presenteted and discussed. Current knowledge of child health, food and meal research is reviewed. The concept of bildung is discussed viewed from four different positions, and the position selected by the author is motivated. The concept of didactics is discussed based on among others Klafki’s critical contructive didactics and Hiim og Hippes relationistic didactic theory. The kindergarten as setting and the web of factors influencing the educational practice is unfolded based on Bronfenbrenners concepts on makro-, exo-, meso- and microlevels in mindset of setting. Law on educational plans for daycarechildren and current knowledge on children in daycare is discussed in relation to the focus of the thesis.
The emperical part builds upon observation of food and meal practice during two days
in a kindergarten selected based on “best practice” principle. Adding to this an insight in the workplan, educational plan and qualitative interviews with the leder, viceleder and a representative from the board of parents has contributed with valuable information related to the formulated problem.
13.1 Results, main conclusion and perspective
Based on the collected data it is judged that health educational work of this specifik kindergarten is pointing in a health promoting direction. The neoliberalistic policy in Danmark prioritizing private economical wealth and a low priority of food for daycarechildren, poor kitchenfacilities, low staff precription e.g. compared to Sweden is judged to be a restriction factor for the health promoting work. The authors health concept and didactics with adjacent categories and supporting concepts has proved suitable for encompassing the broad and positive concept of health in the analytical work. The validity of the results is resticted due to the short observation time. The study shall be seen as en exemplary picture and with this essential reservation the observed results are assumed to be reliable. The information from the qualitative interviews are judged to be reliable and valid. The interpretation is subjective by the author.
The selected kindergarten is considered typical for how the health educational work can be carried out practically. The kindergarten teacher, parents and children are involved, engaged and active participants in everyday life. A clear awareness in relation to the physical, the psychological, social and pedagogical environment is observed and revealed. The health educational practice can still be developed by increased awareness regarding the possibilities for categorical bildung in all kinds of relationships. According to the author, discussions on sustainability and environmental consideration should form a greater part of pedagogical work. The thesis shows, that systematic reseach in dailylife of children aimed at studying health and health promotion is possible, provided the concept of health is operationalized in relation to the context in which it will be applied. Research in child health in daycareinstitution in a broader perspective is a very sparsely studied topic which according to the author should receive more attention. Maybe CVU Sjælland should prioritize a Ph.d. stipendiate?
| Original language | Danish |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 1 May 2006 |
Keywords
- social work
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