Children's Right to Be Heard: Learning from Children about Their Perspectives on Play

As play researchers, the authors have an interest in the diversity of experiences and views people have on play. They are also curious about how the concept of play could be better understood in order to shape advocacy efforts in support of increased opportunities for children and adults to play. In Fall 2011, based on their initial adult play research and inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), they launched the Children's Play Narratives Project, an interview study with children ages 3 to 17, living in diverse communities both within the United States and internationally. The study aims to document and bring greater visibility to children's opinions and experiences related to play. This project reflects children's right to be heard and included in discussions that may influence their access to and experiences with play. This article shares excerpts from their first year of interviews with children to provide a window into the knowledge and passion their participants demonstrated when they were given an opportunity to express their views on play.