Citizens at Play: Children's Participation through Community-Based Opportunities for Child-Directed Play

Abstract

Play is widely discussed within the context of children's education and development. However, play (specifically child-directed play) should also be understood in the context of children's participation. With an argument grounded in theory and research from multiple perspectives, this article encourages readers to consider play as not only a means to an end, but as an essential element of children's current engagement within cultural contexts and the creation of social capital and personal voice. Recognizing the limits of theoretical discussion alone, the authors have developed a practice-based community engagement and training model to support child-directed play across various contexts. Pop-Up Adventure Playgrounds support and celebrate child-directed play in public spaces and help to reframe discussions about children's right to play as part of an ongoing and collective issue of human rights, citizenship, and participation.