Learning spaces at the intersections of families and preschools

This study explores diverse educational practices in multicultural and multilingual settings in Icelandic preschools, how these create contexts and learning spaces of social justice for diverse learners, and what challenges are experienced by teachers, principals, and parents. Furthermore, it examines how these preschools build on educational partnerships with parents to create inclusive learning spaces. The theoretical framework includes writings on diverse culturally and linguistically responsive educational practices and how these approaches can contribute to the development of inclusive learning spaces in educational settings. Data were collected in 2020 and 2021 in semi-structured interviews with teachers, parents, and principals in three preschools in different areas of Iceland. The findings indicate that diverse educational approaches and practices are implemented in the preschools, but that these are mostly led by dedicated individuals rather than organized and implemented overall in the schools. This creates some challenges and results in different educational contexts being developed for diverse children, where children have different opportunities. Furthermore, although many of the parents are dedicated in supporting their children’s learning and apply diverse methods at home for teaching and educational support, there is a lack of communication between the preschools and homes in bridging educational practices.