Work

Poverty for lunch: A case study of agency and food scarcity in mealtimes in disadvantaged ECE

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Quality early care and education (ECE) presents an unparalleled opportunity to avert disadvantage and promote children's development. Mealtimes are essential daily routines, yet are often overlooked in research on ECE quality. This paper crystallises a composite case study of ECE mealtimes in highly disadvantaged communities by combining Departing Radically in Academic Writing (DRAW) methodology with parent surveys, scorings of educator‐child interactions (inCLASS), and field notes. Poverty is perpetuated in these centres: children do not have enough food, and educator‐dictated feeding practices restrict children's opportunities to exercise their agency and learn. Systemic policy action is needed to address poverty in ECE.

Source: Children & Society

DOI: 10.1111/chso.12782

Authors: Bonnie Searle, Emma Cooke, Sally Staton, Karen Thorpe

Institutions: The University of Queensland, ARC Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course

Language: English

Topic: Early Childhood Education and Development

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, No poverty, Zero hunger, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450