Måltidspedagogik i förskolan : En studie om hur förskolepersonal arbetar med måltider och riktlinjer från styrdokument

Meals are an important part of preschool, both from a nutritional and an educational perspective. The purpose of the study is to understand preschools ́ work with meals and how they implement guidelines from meal-relevant governing documents and authorities. Previous studies show that the presence of adults is important at preschool meals and that it contributes to children ́s learning. By using meals as an educational tool, children can learn about health and a sustainable lifestyle. The study is based on curriculum theory and its three central so-called “arenas” to analyze the purpose and questions of the study. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with preschool teachers and principals that were then transcribed and processed in order to understand how they relate to meal-relevant governing documents and authorities. Working with mealtime pedagogy both during and outside of meals has, through the study's interviews and previous research, appeared as something that can stimulate children’s curiosity. The results of the study show that most respondents work with the curriculum goals, where there is a lack of clear goals and guidelines specifically around mealtime pedagogy. The conclusion of the study shows that working with mealtime pedagogy in combination with addition of more curriculum goals related to the subject could have contributed to a better work on mealtime pedagogy for children in preschool. An interest from all employees is needed for a good cooperation to influence children ́s attitudes towards food in a positive way.