Theoretical underpinnings of the participatory approach
There were three main theoretical starting points for this research approach, each based on notions of competency. Firstly, I acknowledged the importance of the ideas expressed in the emergingsociology of …
Talking and listening to children
Alison Clark Editor’s introduction ‘In my cave listening to music. It’s magic music from my magic radio.’ This was one response from 3-year-old Gary about his favourite place in the …
Metaphors for play: innovation and risk
Ten years ago I visited an exciting new children’s daycare centre in Souest, Netherlands. I observed that if children were allowed, they would spend as much time as they could …
Education in the UK: small is beautiful
In the UK, daycare remains the preserve of two social types, each at opposite ends of the wealth divide. Firstly, for the children of relatively well-to - do working parents …
The chapters
Childhood is sometimes described as a state of mind. It is also a distinct physical and mental phase which is experienced between ages one and a half to 16. Although …
Children’s Spaces
This is a book about children, for children. However, I suspect it will not be read by many children. Rather, it attempts to provide a framework, a forum within which …
