Researching the Moral Experiences of Young Children: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to develop a research design and refine data collection and analysis methods to examine moral experiences of children in an education context. We piloted two data collection methods: participant observation and one-on-one interviews in preschool classrooms and with school-aged children, respectively. Our thematic analysis revealed how children coconstruct their daily experiences in this particular context; when and how they resist rules; and what moral experiences may look like in preschool interactions and how they may be understood and expressed by school-aged children. We also discussed methodological reflections on rapport building and power dynamics within these research methods.