Social fields of resonance in caring for children in marginalised positions

1.Research aims<br/>This qualitative study explores how the social fields of resonance influence polyadic care and the participation and well-being of children in marginalised positions. <br/>2.Relationship to previous research works<br/>Drawing on insights from dyadic care research (Noddings, 1984; Tronto, 1994) we study how polyadic care can be theorised, investigated and practiced, and how it influences the everyday participation of children in marginalised positions. We integrate and discuss the conceptualization of four caring domains: self-care, other-care, we-care, and world-care (Winther-Lindqvist et al. 2025). <br/>3.Theoretical and conceptual framework<br/>We apply the concept of social fields of resonance as a social-psychological space (Hermann, 2023) for understanding polyadic care and the conditions under which the social field of resonance develops children’s participation and well-being (Svinth, 2016). <br/>4.Paradigm, methodology and methods<br/>Body-phenomenology and cultural psychology provide the paradigmatic foundation for 33 days of qualitative observations and 11 semi-structured interviews with practitioners from 11 ECECs. Using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach, a thematic analysis is conducted (Braun &amp; Clark, 2006). <br/>5. Ethical Considerations<br/>Informed consent was obtained from participating practitioners, and pseudonyms were applied to ensure anonymity (Zeni, 1998). We used ongoing assent where children's (non)verbal communications were considered (Bertram et.al, 2024).<br/>6. Main finding or discussion<br/>The practitioner’s caring awareness (Nielsen, 2025) of the social fields of resonance is identified as a core condition for polyadic care of children in marginalised positions. This awareness encompasses an understanding of both the affective quality and the pedagogical timing within a setting. <br/>7.Implications, practice or policy<br/>Institutionalized care is primarily polyadic, and understanding the dynamics and social conditions of polyadic care is central to developing the participation and well-being of children in marginalised positions. <br/>