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http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s10643-016-0784-z&domain=pdf
Web End = Early Childhood Educ J (2017) 45:133141 DOI 10.1007/s10643-016-0784-z
http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s10643-016-0784-z&domain=pdf
Web End = Childrens Voices on Bullying in Kindergarten
Anne Helgeland1 Ingrid Lund2
Published online: 8 March 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016
Abstract Research suggests that bullying does occur in kindergarten. The extent of bullying in Norway and other Scandinavian countries is estimated to be about 12 %. The purpose of this study is to investigate childrens understanding and experiences of bullying. We use a qualitative approach and have conducted individual interviews and focus group interviews with a total of 31 children, 5 year-olds, in 4 different kindergartens. Additionally, observations were made of 45 year-olds in the same kindergartens, 142 children in total. The results show that the children describe bullying as doing or saying something mean. Exclusion from play is what all the children fear the most. This study shows that 12 children in each kindergarten are systematically excluded from play, and these children are overlooked by both other children and the adults in kindergarten.
Keywords Bullying Inclusion Victim Anxiety
Insecurity
Introduction
Kindergarten is one of the rst contexts in which we begin learning how to include others, as well as how to play, and make friends. Because kindergarten is meant to be a safe
place that facilitates the development of friendship, play, and wellbeing, prevention of bullying is important. Comprehensive research has been done concerning bullying in school, but much less in regard to bullying in kindergarten (Kirves and Sajaniemi 2012; Monks and Coyne 2011). The studies that do exist on bullying in kindergarten show that the problems are extensive. Current research literature estimates that bullying in Norwegian kindergartens is at 12 % (Bratterud et al. 2012). Some comparisons with other countries follow. In Finland it is estimated that 12.6 % are being bullied in kindergarten (Kirves and Sajaniemi 2012), and in Switzerland 6 % of children aged 47 years were victims of bullying (Perren 2000). In the UK 1322 % of 46 year old children in kindergarten were victims of bullying (Monks and Coyne 2011, p. 13). American research shows that in the United States, 22.6 % of children aged 57 are subjected to bullying or peer abuse (Alsaker and Nagele 2008).
Involvement in bully/victim problems in...