Research project
The Playful Researchers
Listening to children's voices through playful data collection methods
Active
May 2022
June 2026
The Playful Researchers have been formed within the University of Dundee to draw together and capitalise upon staff expertise within early childhood and play pedagogies.
In addition to conducting broader research into concepts of play, the main focus of this group is to develop innovative, creative and playful data collection methods to listen to children and to amplify their voices. This research group therefore seeks to align participatory research methods with developmentally appropriate practice in the early years.
The Playful Researchers have two related project pages, based on their research so far. You can read more about those specific projects through the following links:
- ‘Leading by Listening: A Playful Approach’
- This is a framework for educators and professionals, to explore how to listen to children’s voices to lead change in a variety of settings.
- Amplifying children’s voices
- This project page shares an infographic based on a recent research project, which highlights some of the underpinning principles and considers the role of the adult when amplifying children’s voices.
To date, The Playful Researchers have been invited into a variety of schools and early years settings across Scotland, to work and research with young children. Underpinning all of our research projects, is our Playful Research Ethics Framework (PREF):
Underpinning ethical principles
- Anonymity
- Informed assent
- Accurate reporting
- Voluntary participation
- Welfare of the participant
- Appropriate interpretation of data
- Confidentiality
- Ongoing assent
- Data protection
- Clear outset
- Privacy
Discussions prior to research
- Familiar environment
- Continuing with current practices
- Who might need support
Initial ethics session with children
- Aims of research
- Playful and developmentally appropriate
- Confidentiality
- Drama
- Interactive and space for questions
- Use of data
- Verbal and physical assent
- Relationship building
Consideration of ongoing assent throughout the study
- Visual cues
- Verbal and non-verbal responses
- Body language
- Invitations
- Questions
After completion of study
- Agreement on what to disseminate
- Child friendly language
- Research footprint
The PREF is being written up for publication. In the meantime, you can download infographic from the Discovery website.
Here is an amalgamation of some of the main themes from the projects we have conducted:
Theme One - Listening to Children’s Voices through a Playful Approach
We have been invited to engage with schools to explore how children’s voices can be listened to and amplified through play and/or a playful approach. Here is a digital story, in which you can hear from the children themselves, which shares some of the approaches we used:
Theme Two - Conceptualising Play
We have worked with educators as co-researchers to uncover children’s understandings of play, from Nursery to Primary 7. In this digital story, children chose to express their voices and perspectives about play by using either clay, Lego, light boxes, loose parts, sand or drawing. Here is what the children themselves had to say about what play means to them:
Impact of our work
Here is a selection of feedback from some of the educators with whom we have worked:
Julie McKenna, Headteacher, Redwell Primary School
Alison Given, Principal Teacher, Redwell Primary School
Impact after Research Project Week 1: What is it like to be in this space?
Impact of our work: Morag Carson, HT, Hallglen PS
Lynette Hendry, P2 Class Teacher
Nicole McMillan - P1 Class Teacher
Julie McLaren - P1 Class Teacher
Laura Martin, EYO
If you would like The Playful Researchers to work with your school or setting, please get in touch with Dr Lynsey Burke.
People
Project lead(s)
Dr Lynsey BurkeExternal team members
Mhairi Wallace - University of Edinburgh
Dr Helen Burns - University of Glasgow