Exploring children's agency in a designed atelier: A socio-material perspective

Abstract

This paper aimed to explore the interplay between the socio-material configuration of a designed atelier and children's agency. Ateliers were designed for and utilized by children aged 8-11 years. The material properties of the atelier and the expressions of agency are analyzed as interdependent rather than dualistic elements. In this study, agency was distributed and emerged in relation to the socio-material environment. The paper concluded with reflections about pedagogical and research implications to adopt a socio-material approach.