Demokratiska värderingar i förskolan - En diskursanalys av demokratibegreppet genom innehållsanalys av barnlitteratur

The aim of this study is to investigate the concept of democracy and democratic values as widely used in the curriculum for preschools. In order to further understand the concepts, I have studied pre-existing research and theories that concern the aforementioned topic. I have also searched for and found a definition of democracy on which to base a content analysis of children’s literature that is read at preschools as part of literacy activities. I do this in order to understand how values linked to democracy are conveyed in the preschool activities through literature, since it is stated in the curriculum that it is the teacher’s duty to convey democratic values. Literacy activities involving children’s literature are one of the ways in which preschools work with issues concerning societal norms and values. The methods of research that I have employed have been discourse analysis through content analysis and I have used the guidelines of these methods throughout the process. After examining, identifying patterns and analysing the children’s literature, my study shows that expressions of certain democratic values were more apparent than others. Equal value, freedom and rights were commonly recurring topics, while protection for minorities was not adressed to any great extent in any of the books. Non-violence was a value that in two out of three books was represented by conflicts being solved through compromises and oral discussion, which encourages diversity.Each studied book teaches power and resistance by addressing issues of human rights and difference of opinion. The study also conveyed the subjects as personally responsible for maintaining a well functioning democracy through their own individual values