A Qualitative Analysis of Support for Preschool Children at Mealtimes in Nurseries and Kindergartens by Students of Early-Childhood Education

Abstract

  This study aimed to qualitatively examine the current support provided for preschool children at mealtimes in nurseries and kindergartens by students of early-childhood education. Data regarding children's dietary behaviors and support for children by students of early childhood education from an open-ended survey (72 students and 29 childcare workers) in 2014-2015 were analyzed using a qualitative approach based on the KJ methods. Consequently, children's dietary behaviors were grouped into 16 categories including hygiene, interest in food, food preferences, manners, and brushing teeth. The support for children by students consisted of “talking to them,” “paying attention to what they do,” “assisting and helping them,” “observing them,” and “watching over them,” whereas the support that the childcare workers expected from students was “teaching them” and “cooperating with other professions.” The findings of this study revealed several problems with the education for students of early childhood education.