An encounter with children: seeking meaning and understanding about childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to continue research conversations with young children about their lived experiences. A central philosophy underpinning this work seeks an acknowledgment of the presence of children and their accounts of life, as an essential element to understanding their social worlds. The research methodology draws upon an adaptation of the mosaic approach for data collection tools, whereby conversations, drawings, text, and photographs are used to consider understandings of childhood and adulthood from the child standpoint. Approximately 15 children aged three to six years were invited to put forward their views and opinions through conversations, drawings and/or written texts on their understandings childhood and adulthood. The children were invited to theorize differences in perspectives and propose reasons why this may be so. In this way, the article supports the notion that a community can provide the structure and procedures that enable children's participation, should it view the child as a competent and capable contributor. The wish to listen to, and involve children, originates within this context and leads to structures and procedures that can support the involvement of children around a range of issues that impact on children.