Babies’ spatial experiences based on free movement and autonomy in daycare*The article is the result of an ethnographic investigation with babies that, based on contributions from the field of Childhood Geography Studies and discussions from the Pikler approach, had as its central objective to discuss the spatial experiences of babies based on free movement and autonomy in daycare. Methodologically, the research was developed with eight babies aged between 4 months and 1 year and 5 months, over ten months, in a daycare center that bases its educational project on the theoretical assumptions of the Pikler approach. The following methodological strategies were used to generate the research data: observation, recording in a field diary, and photographic and film records. Based on reading the field diary, the footage breakdown, and analysis of the photographs, episodes were written about the spatial experiences of the babies that occurred during the investigation. Reading the material generated in the field made it possible to identify recurrences present in the spatial experiences of the babies and to define three analytical units: 1) the movements of the babies through the spaces of the daycare, 2) the babies and the explorations of the materialities that constitute the spaces of the daycare, 3) the interactions between the babies in the occupation of the spaces of the daycare. The analyses show the importance of relational teaching based on the promotion of spaces, times, and materialities, which allows babies to enjoy free movement and have the opportunity to exercise autonomous activity through their spatial experiences.
Keywords
Daycare; Babies; Spatial experiences; Free movement; Autonomy