Creating a Play-Friendly Community with Children: A Report on a Participatory-Ethnographic Research

Abstract

This report is an outcome of the research “Creating a Play-Friendly Community with Children“, carried out by Silvia Veiga-Seijo (PhD student) with 17 children co-researchers aged between 5 and 12. The research project aimed to look into the perspectives of children and community members for developing a play-friendly community in Whitecraig (East Lothian, Scotland). The report was co-created with the children alongside Silvia, and it is founded on children’s voices and perspectives: our voices, stories, and experiences of doing and living the project together. The motivation for writing this collaborative report emerged after celebrating a local community event organised and led by the children participants in their school. During this event, children presented their perspectives of play through a puppet show and two songs to families, community residents, school staff, stakeholders, and policy-makers. After their presentation, the children led a discussion on a question of great importance to them: “how are we going to help” with their call to action to play together in their community and make play better for everyone. Adults and policy-makers highlighted the need of elaborating a written report on the children’s perspectives and share it with both East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government. Likewise, the community suggested “spread the word of this amazing work to other parts of Scotland”. This report attempts to respond to these needs as part of these collective endeavors and actions.