Principles underlying the work of Icelandic preschool teachers

Abstract

SUMMARY The purpose of the study was to investigate the working methods of Helga and Kristin, two Icelandic preschool teachers, their beliefs about early childhood education, and the goals of their programs. An emphasis was placed on exploring the connection between the context of the preschool teachers and their pedagogical work. The study shows that, in general, Helga and Kristin's methods, goals, and beliefs are in many ways similar, reflecting a romantic view of children and child rearing, a view that the traditional Icelandic view of raising children shares. Their pedagogical work differs in other ways, with Helga underscoring more content oriented goals. Her methods and goals are more in line with the ideology presented in the contemporary literature on early childhood education, especially coming from the United States. Kristin's goals, on the other hand, are more global and related to the Scandinavian and Icelandic preschool tradition, focusing on freedom and creativity, and on less structured and more informal methods.