Young children’s information-seeking practices in center-based childcare

• Published in: Journal of librarianship and information science Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 144 - 158
• Main Author: Barriage, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2022; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Children & youth; Day care centers; Information seeking behavior; young children; Information-seeking; center-based childcare; conceptions of information; information practices
• ISSN: 0961-0006; 1741-6477
• DOI: 10.1177/0961000620962164

Many children in the USA spend a significant amount of time in center-based childcare. However, research has yet to explore their information practices in this setting. This study investigates young children’s perceptions of the concept of information and their own information-seeking practices within the context of their day care classroom. The participants included 13 children between three and five years of age. Data was collected using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, child-led photo tours, and photo-elicitation interviews. The findings indicate that the children did not perceive the concept of information in a manner consistent with adult understandings of the term, and that they engaged in information-seeking related to finding out new things on their own, through interactions with others, and through classroom resources, activities, and routines. The findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners working with young children.