B for Borrow - A phenomenology study about young children ´s experience of lending toys in Sweden

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to understand the experiences young children have regarding lending toys from a toy library. The study also aimed to understand the various parts that together constitute a loan such as visiting the toy library, choosing items, taking them to check-out and eventually returning them. Theory: The theoretical framework that was used consist of two theories, phenomenology and sociocultural theory of play. Phenomenology as influenced by the philosophers Heideggers, Husserl and Merleau-Ponty is used to explore how a phenomenon is being experienced. Sociocultural theory of play by Vygotsky is used to highlight the importance of play and how it is used. Method: A phenomenology approach was being used as a method when exploring the lived experiences of the children lending toys. Ten semi-structured interviews with children aged 3,5 to 8 years old were conducted at a toy library. To enable the research question to get answered a topic guide was used. The data analysis was carried out using a qualitative software. Results: The research concluded that the experiences of the children were very similar to each other. The main findings in this thesis include the positive experience the children expressed about visiting and using the toy library. Another finding was that the children did not reflect much about the toys being shared with others. Lastly, their view on the returning of the toys, that was considered nothing more than a part of the lending process and a means to borrow more. As for further research I suggest interviews with parents to understand their experiences of the toy library and with those that have been using a toy library and decided not to, in order to understand what challenges toy libraries have to address.