What is it about?
Listening to children in school age care requires a shift in power differentials. Too truly understand what children are saying we need to acknowledge that we listen from a cultural and historical bias. Allowing children to take photograph's of the things that matter to them generates new knowledge.
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Why is it important?
Children's mental health is a growing concern with evidence pointing to lack of free, outdoor play as a significant contributor. Adults have removed much of the free outdoor play environment that stimulates resilience in children's ability to do what comes naturally. School age care is a phenomenon that has created both opportunity and hindrance to children's ability to be self-directed play participants. We need to listen and create play spaces for children to thrive as we did in the past. Allowing children to take photo's of what matters to them is one small step in negating power imbalances and opening up new knowldge.
Perspectives
My intention in publishing this article was to open up the research 'black hole' in school age care which has a unique opportunity to make a measurable difference in the lives of children. Their mental health cannot continue to be ignored.
Kevin Bell
Griffith University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Stepping back in School Age Care, Journal of Playwork Practice, November 2014, Policy Press,
DOI: 10.1332/205316214x14111157717370.
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