Factors constituting children’s everyday experience of wellbeing

Authors

• Kati Kallinen Itä-Suomen yliopisto
• Anna Nikupeteri Lapin yliopisto
• Merja Laitinen Lapin yliopisto
• Lauri Lantela Lapin yliopisto
• Tuija Turunen Lapin yliopisto
• Henna Nurmi Lapin yliopisto
• Jaana Leinonen Lapin yliopisto

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.80332

Keywords:

hyvinvointi, lapsen näkökulma, narratiivisuus

Abstract

This article focuses on factors constituting children’s everyday experience of wellbeing. It is based on childhood sociology, which emphasises children’s agency. The study was part of a larger research and development project that aimed to develop child and family services and produce research-based knowledge in order to support child-related policy- and decision-making. The data were gathered from pair and group interviews with children in day care settings and schools (altogether 115 children).

Based on a narrative approach, four themes were identified for the establishing of children’s wellbeing: 1) feeling safe, 2) being heard and understood, 3) being valued as knowledge producers and decision makers and 4) active participation and agency. The study shows that children have limited possibilities of exercising agency in their everyday lives. The findings emphasise that, in advancing their wellbeing, more attention should be paid to the role of children as knowledge producers.