| Summary: | The purpose of this study is to investigate the significance of preschool teachers´ view of shy children in preschool, based on their perceptions and related attitudes and support for shy children in daily activities. This study is based on a qualitative hermeneutical methodological approach, where the empirical material is gathered from four focus group discussions with groups from four different preschools. There were three preschool teachers´ participating in each group. The theoretical framework consists of symbolic interactionism put together with a relational perspective, which guides the interpretation of the empirical material. The results of this study show that shyness is complex and difficult to interpret. It is a social phenomenon where perceptions, attitudes and also applied support are interlinked.Shyness in children can be perceived based on this and with regard to a subjective dimension, but where the subjective understanding of shyness is also affected by the views of others. Fundamental is the preschool teachers' awareness and sensitivity to these children in the daily activities. In order to build lasting and secure relationships in the group of children it is required to understand the entire environment. Therefore, an important conclusion is that shyness in children in preschool only can be understood by looking at the children’s social environment rather than focusing at the behavior of each individual child.
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