Play and participation in preschool children’s project activities

Abstract

This article presents playful activities undertaken with children during the three years of the BRIDGING project. The authors try to show the pupils’ participation expressed through play in its different types. During the implementation of the project activities, it was important to have the attentive presence of adults who showed direction and tried to always remind children as well as other partners (from partner institutions) about the purpose of the playful activities. However, the educators did not show ready-made solutions and allowed the children to express their own opinions, to be creative and to work on their own, and to have fun. The cooperation of adult participants in the project – teachers, tutors and university lecturers – enriched the project with a diverse perspective on children’s activities, play and the issue of participation. The implementation of the BRIDGING project in Poland became an opportunity to develop the idea of equal involvement of adults and children. This idea has been disseminated in the local community, firstly among parents, and also among other people involved in the project through activities (including play activities) undertaken during the project.