Children's bodies in British Columbia's child care regulations: A critical discourse analysis

Abstract

This paper contributes to discussions that challenge dominant thinking by deeply reflecting on children’s bodies as they are depicted in British Columbia’s Child Care Licensing Regulations. Using critical discourse analysis, the author highlights how techniques of power are embedded in this particular document by examining how power works to regulate, normalize, and discipline children’s bodies in early childhood education. The paper describes how this government policy works to create and sustain common child care practices by exploring four questions about the organization of the regulations document to open alternative conversations about young bodies in early childhood practices.