Children's perspectives and thoughts about what they experience as meaningful in everyday life are often marginalized in a school that, to a greater extent than previously, emphasizes adult-led activities and formal learning goals (UN, 2013; Klitmøller and Sommer, 2016). The evaluation of the 6-year reform particularly highlights the youngest children's need for self-initiated and free play as central to well-being, learning and development. The committee expresses concern that the one-sided emphasis on learning letters, among other things, displaces other activities, such as reading aloud and functional writing (Bjørnestad et al., 2023).

Øksnes and Sundsdal (2022) argue for greater emphasis on children's first-hand experiences and problem solving in the design of teaching. Society's emphasis on measurable knowledge and testing of specific competencies in children deprives teachers of the scope to adapt teaching to children's experiences and interests (cf. Dewey; Eisner, 2002;2004). Teaching that considers children's input, curiosity, interests and imagination can lead to children experiencing school as meaningful and a good place to be. My project examines children's ability to choose play and activities that take care of their own interests throughout the school day, both in after-school care and during school hours. I want to have a special look at children's playful exploration of written language, how they participate and create meaning in formal and informal learning situations (Munch et al., 2022; Pesch et al., 2022). In varied and rich learning environments, children will be able to use writing both as a tool and as a theme for exploration, but also as part of their play. The focus of my project is on the children, but I also examine teachers' perspectives on their practice.

The project has an ethnographic design with observations, researcher-led conversations (video recordings) in small groups of children, interviews with teachers/leaders, photographs of the physical environment and children's drawings/written expressions.
 

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