What do 19% men among the staff in the nature and outdoor preschools

in Norway imply?

Olav B. Lysklett,

Associate Professor

Queen Maud’s College of Early Childhood Education

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

INTRODUCTION

• One goal in the action plan for equality in preschools 2004-2007 is 20% men in preschools in Norway

• 5700 men in preschools in Norway which is 9% of all the staff

• In the nature and outdoor preschools there are almost 20% men (Løge Hagen, 2005)

• The number of preschools which call themselves nature and outdoor preschools has increased rapidly the last five years.

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

What characterizes the nature and outdoor preschools in Norway?

Study of 39 nature and outdoor preschools (Lysklett 2005)

• The majority of nature and outdoor preschools are private• They are small units• They spend a lot of time outdoors• They use regular reference areas• They focus on developing motor skills, social skills and

knowledge about nature

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

Headmasters brief statement:

“We spend a lot of time outdoors”

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

Headmasters brief statement:

“The day-care center is located in or near beautiful natural areas”

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

Headmasters brief statement:

“We want the children to have good outdoor experiences and learn about nature”

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

RESEARCH QUESTION

• What characterizes men that work in the nature and outdoor preschools?

• What are the main reasons that so many men work in nature and outdoor preschools?

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

METHOD

• A questionnaire, 6 pages, consisting of 37 questions

• 79 men from 44 nature and outdoor preschools and 42 men from 21 traditional preschools answered the questionnaires

• 75% response for both types of preschool

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

RESULTS

16

24

0

5

10

15

20

25

Precentage of male staff

Traditionalpreschools

Outdoor preschools

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

RESULTSWhat characterizes men that work in the nature and

outdoor preschools?

• a relatively young group of men. The average age was equal for both types of preschool at around 35

• 60% of the men that work in nature and outdoor preschools stated that they use their leisure interests to a “large or very large” degree in their daily work

• men from nature and outdoor preschools were more active than the men from traditional preschools

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

RESULTSWhy have you chosen to work in this particular preschool?

Men in traditional preschools

Men in nature and outdoor preschools t-test Sign.

I prefer working in a traditional preschool

3.32 1.64 p < 0.000

I just happened to get a job in this preschool

3.90 3.04 p = 0.021.

I like better working outdoors than indoors

4.02 5.39 p < 0.000

I particularly prefer to work in this type of preschool

4.29 5.15 p = 0.001

I want to give children many experiences in nature

4.85 5.55 p = 0.001

I want children to acquire valuable knowledge about nature

4.98 5.38 p = 0.053

I believe that being outdoors a lot influences children in a positive direction.

5.22 5.56 p = 0.073

N=38-42 N=73-78

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

RESULTS Other reasons why so many men work in nature and

outdoor preschools

• A new arena might appeal to men

• No walls or “women`s culture”in the room

• Easier to influence the culture of a smaller preschool

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

RESULTSStatements related to workplace satisfaction

Men in traditional preschools

Men in nature and outdoor preschools t-test

Sign.

I like it best when we are indoors at the preschool.

2.71 1.80 p < 0.000

Working indoors is more varied than working outdoors.

2.81 1.91 p < 0.000.

I believe natural sciences are important topics in preschool.

4.28 4.70 p = 0.045

Working outdoors is more varied than working indoors.

4.36 5.19 p < 0.000.

I prefer working outdoors rather than indoors.

4.02 5.39 p < 0.000

I like it best when we are outdoors with the children.

4.45 5.38 p < 0.000

My work gives me great freedom. 4.63 5.05 p = 0.048

N=40-42 N=78-79

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

CONCLUSION

• Focus on nature and outdoor activities in traditional preschools might increase the percentage of men in preschools!

• What do 19% men among the staff in the nature and outdoor preschools in Norway imply?– The culture in each preschool– Men`s influence on the children– Childrens play with men

Olav B Lysklett, Associate Professor

Thank you for your attention!