Abstract:

The research focuses young children perceptions of play and playing in early childhood education (ECE) settings where the role of adults is to provide materials, spaces and possibilities and to enhance children’s play in different ways. Previously conducted research shows the discrepancy between children’s and adult’s view of the play, so it was justified to find children’s perspective on play. Children's ideas were approached by participatory research focused on children perspective. Participants were 100 children, aged 5 and 6 years recruited from 3 ECE settings in Croatia. Children perceptions on play were gained by their own visual representations seen through photographs taken by children themselves. Children discussed their perspective by explanation of their photographs during semi structured interviews. In interviews children explained their own perception of play, but also discussed photographs taken by other children.

Results identified differences and similarities in children’s perceptions on play (absence of adults, use of open ended materials, freedom, hiding, exploring new possibilities, imaginary worlds…)

The implications of gathered findings are discussed concluding that using cameras and photographs taken by children enables us in accessing and sharing children’s perspective on play and genuinely include theirs voices. Gathered findings also open discussion on the role adults take in children’s play.

Keywords:

Preschool children, play, children’s perspective, photographs.