The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the transdisciplinary exploration of children in constructing the choreography of the “Dance of the Dinosaurs”, with mathematics being one of the disciplines used. Central questions explored were: 1. What form did the children’s transdisciplinary exploration take? 2. What could be learned about the mathematical understanding of the children? and 3. What problems emerged during the process and how did the children respond to these? The study is an example of dialogical research, providing a bridge between post-modern and modern theories and approaches. Deconstructive dialogue, imagination, and rhizomatic thinking are central concepts in the theoretical framework. The empirical material consists of six-hour video-taped material. The study found that the children explored and identified new problems, which they then critically reflected and called in question. Time, space, shape, size, numbers, and patterns emerged in their mathematical work. The children cooperated with each other during the problem-solving process and looked for further challenges.

How can preschool teachers approach multiplicity and complexity in the preschool? The aim of this article is to discuss two approaches to education, one based on design and the other on open reflection, and to propose ‘situational sensitivity’ as a concept connected within the latter approach. Special attention is paid to the ethical encounter with the child. The first approach is characterised by learning study, didactic analysis, advocate planning, and educational designs, and is guided by a logic which reduces multiplicity. The second approach to education, exemplified here in the ‘Wondering Together’ project, stresses a more open, reflective attitude that welcomes multiplicity. I argue that situational sensitivity is an expression of that open, welcoming logic. Situational sensitivity supports the concept of bildung, the development of the whole person, by educating towards the knowledge necessary for understanding the world and by honouring the child's experience and perspective.

This study is about two educators (tutors) who are responsible for management and development in a preschool and their accounts in connection with the project “Metamorphosis: Children, Educators, Companies, and Local Municipality in Collaboration for a Sustainable Development”. The project is based on a philosophy concerning children, citizenship, and the preschool as a place of sharing values and doing democracy, which posits that cooperation within a local municipality could be a way to contribute towards sustainable development. Surplus materials from companies are being put to use, and work done in co-operative efforts among participants of varying ages is seen as a part of “lifelong learning”. The objective of this study is to highlight the meaning and importance of “conveying of identity” the educators place on themselves in their work as tutors in doing democracy. Ultimately, the study is expected to contribute to the knowledge of the tutorial work of educators in connection with this project. It is a narrative study, taking a social constructional perspective, based on the principle that meaning and significance are created through linguistic communication in a certain cultural and historical context. The empirical material consists of the two educators’ own “reflecting diaries” and interviews focusing on the significance the pedagogues put on themselves in this context. Data collection was carried out over the course of one year. The preliminary result of the study is a meta-story titled “Wanting to Achieve Something Together With Others”, which relates Sara’s accounts, and “Cooperation and I” based on Annika’s story. The educators’ shared philosophy concerning children, citizenship, and doing democracy seems to play an important part in their reflections and in the significance they attribute to themselves.

Research aims: The aim of this study is to describe and interpret the trans-disciplinary exploration of children, in constructing the choreography of the “Dance of the dinosaurs” where mathematics is one of the disciplines used. . The central question is: In what way does children´s trans-disciplinary exploration emerge? Other questions are: What could be learned about the mathematical understanding of children through their applications? What problems emerge during the process and how are the children acting?

Relationship to previous research works: The study is a part of a larger pedagogical development project in preschool class and primary school, initiated by the Swedish Reggio Emilia institute.

Theoretical and conceptual framework: Deconstructive dialogues, fantasy and rhizome constitute central conceptions in the theoretical framework.

Paradigm, methodology and methods: Methodologically, the study is an example of dialogical research, enabling a bridge between post-modern and modern theories and approaches. The children attend an F-1 form. Their interest in dinosaurs resulted in a dance project, including a few groups of children. The empirical material consists of a total of six hours of video-tape, completed by diary-notes. By posing question to the empirical data, patterns of actions is emerged which interprets according to the theoretical framework.

Ethical considerations: The study adheres to the ethical guidelines of the Scientific Council regarding research, where the participation and approval of children are seen as fundamental.

Main finding or discussion: Some findings: Time, space, pattern, size, number emerge in the mathematical work of children, children cooperates and aims for more.

Implications, practice or policy: The study illustrates a trans-disciplinary exploration where children explore and identifies new problems, reflects critically and calls in question.

Who will decide, those who are younger or older? Should one always tell the truth? How do people come to an agreement? These questions are the object of preschool children’s philosophical explorations in this study. The aim of the study is to describe and interpret what takes place in dialogues among children and between children and educators in dealing with these ethical issues. A post-modern perspective forms the basis of this study. Everything can be considered from other angles, and something new and unexpected might occur. The child is seen as a competent citizen in the sense of being expert on his or her own life, and having opinions that are worth listening to. The study indicates that it is important that the question being considered is one that matters to the children, and that children listen to the Other’s meaning in a mutual process of deconstruction. Diversity in thoughts and ideas become enrichment in children’s dealing with ethical issues. The acts of the educator characterized by a sensitive ear, tolerance and a critical mind are named “situational sensibility”

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I en miljö där det finns tid att reflektera tillsammans och upptäcka olika perspektiv vågar man också stå för det man tycker. Det gemensamma undrandet ger tilltro till de egna tankarna och förståelse för andras sätt att tänka.