Love and Touch in Early Childhood Education

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Shifting Developmental Paradigms: The Sociorelational Lives of Young Children

Abstract

In this theoretical paper we discuss two issues not commonly discussed together in the context of early childhood education, and that are perceived as potentially dangerous topics: Love and touch. We suggest that the moral panic regarding touch has lead to a problematic perception of love and touch in education. We argue that love and touch are central concepts for professional early childhood education practitioners. Educational institutions teach children something about who they are by how they are touched (or not touched), constantly giving children little messages about the world and their place in it. We argue that if educational practitioners recognise this, and consciously reflect their touching practices and whether these are loving, they can become better educators.

Authors

• Maija-Liisa Lanas, University of Oulu

• Virve Keränen, University of Oulu