The Toy Brick as a Communicative Device for Amplifying Children’s Voices in Research

Introduction This article arises from recent industry-partner research between the ARC Centre of Excellence for Digital Child, LEGO Group, and Edith Cowan University (ECU), examining new ways communicating children’s perspectives digital citizenship to policy makers industry in a project called Safety Citizenship Roundtables: Using Consultation Creativity Engage Stakeholders (Children, Policy Influencers, Industry) Best Practice India, South Korea, Australia. We posed question: What are everyday experiences these countries, how might contribute practice? In roundtables, we immersed children aged 3 13 three-pronged child-centred multimodal methodology that included drawing, show-and-tell discussion, block building activity. It is this third block-related method investigates: project’s adoption an activity using LEGO® brick whereby expressed their views about worlds via toy constructions. article, explain such play can be used as communicative strategy give agency so they creatively interject voices into ongoing discussions citizenship. Such approach takes rights perspective considers ethics with children, “young have rights; [and] agents active constructors social worlds” (Sun et al.). The was also subject rigorous human approval process at ECU. highlights benefits device amplifying media cultures ends by illustrating some depicted creations. Rationale Taking play-based participatory methods provides window may not accessed through traditional qualitative techniques. Gennaro Miller (xxxi) argue “the impact technology upon remains complicated grasp, assessing extent which – specifically plays role lives youth still prerequisite our discourse”. provided imperative find grasp complication. Furthermore, asking key aim Child researchers who led project. emphasised ‘Growing Up Connected World’ study conducted UNICEF Global Kids Online team Sonia Livingstone 2019. They identify that, if going understand cultures, need ask this: starting point must themselves barriers face accessing internet, opportunities discovering online skills acquiring. Children report on risks encountered possible harms, well support protection receive family, friends, teachers, wider society. (UNICEF 7) Project: Did 2022, ECU series roundtables total 45 Republic Australia intention gathering safety Subsequent adult were held along findings deep literature review conveyed policy, education, academic stakeholders. research, positioned stakeholders conversations Three each country: one pre-primary school (3-5 years age), early primary (6-10 late (10-13 year age). three activities: first, use ten image cards depicting activities icebreakers prompts drawing activity; second, talking explained drawings then talked citizenship; third, had access table toys where asked make construction showed roundtable participants facilitators something existing knowledges comprehension latter will explore. Multiple Play-Based, Child-Friendly Participatory Methods Play-based visual prompts, play, unlike focus group centres establish less formal atmosphere more akin recreational activities. Not only do build rapport, but elicit authentic reflective response children. (For see Montreuil al.) As Literat (88) argues child-friendly methods, “unlike interviews or sessions instantaneous expected, given time reflect responses, encourages conceptualization contemplation”. additional reflection multiple modes communication show tell, talking, gives child opportunity craft complete depiction lives, added advantage easily navigating age-defined literacy, language, cultural boundaries. variation combination verbal explanations creations attended “visual images exchanges central meaning making process” (Tay-Lim Lim 65). aided data gathered roundtables. proved particularly effective mechanism communicate views, it done preceding context, because gave them mode expressing tacit become embedded lives. Precedent Brick Toy Communicate Children’s Views inspiration employing came work Group itself. 2021, collated workshop feedback survey concerning climate change over 6,000 8–18. resulting requests constructions conceptualised Building Instructions Better World presented government policymakers COP26 conference Glasgow 2021 (LEGO, Call; Instructions). Affirming January 2022 important stakeholders, subsequently developed general Build Change strategy: “a powerful way express hopes dreams future bricks other creative materials, plus own imagination” Change). child-led pedagogical exemplifies group’s remit good its brand framework company conscious leadership possesses regard education environmental footprint (Wood). demonstrated Roundtables project, though activism, highly tool adults. Thus, employed methods. method, capture range aligned international network, Online, advocates ‘Method Guide 8’ “useful engaging joint knowledge production, literacy required, associated settings school” (Kleine al. 9). Play Research Method When symbolise contexts toys, form symbolic foundational element developing meaning-making (Vygotsky). representation involves things, discussed Bruner his analysis culture education: thought emotion enacted physical action; expression imagery; symbols. all these: firstly, actively enacting thoughts play; secondly, create representations experiences; thirdly, symbolically inner worlds. discussing similar small world “scaled down items small-scale scenarios world, typically animals people”, Gripton Vincent (226) identified methodological has “advantage being within child’s harnessing ability natural affinity play” (238). way, does require dependence written literacies, rather multiliteracies common arts (Wright) transcend age including cultures. A Convergence Cultures Media Whilst could suggested too closely aligns growing commercialisation reflecting convergence (Ponte Aroldi), would attends needs worlds, those currently inhabit. Indeed, familiarity created shortcut quickly facilitated expressiveness across 13. (DUPLO 3-5 old group; smaller groups 6-13.) commercial endorsement attempt meet Our experience echoed research: “as familiar medium, allows thoughts, share without relying technical ability” (Hickman-Dunne Pimlott-Wilson 94). ubiquitous contemporary life, just European originated Certainly, India Korea Ponte Aroldi (9) connection considered privileged area innovation … innovation”. innovative approaches. Rights Perspective design meant attending “adopt practices resonate communication, concerns fit routines” (Christensen James 2) paid due respect global agenda age” (Livingstone Bulger 1). around further prominence when United Nations Committee released General Comment No. 25 Relation Environment, “encouraging related autonomy, personal development enjoyment” (UNCRC 18). referring contexts, felt rights, autonomy enjoyment. committed principle “children’s right participate decision impacts lives” (Third Moody communicated produced version final (See An Ethic Empowerment Researching Young addition perspective, heed Early Childhood (ECA) young should amplify voices, ensuring afforded heard”; thus ECA’s “promoting voice participation decision-making processes, enabling greater hear concerns” (ECA 3). child-participatory contributing back influencing moves years. For example, 2015 Irish Department Youth Affairs National Strategy People’s Participation Decision-Making, 2020; Save publication Together Decide strengthening UN processes (Diop, Keating, Trapp); Council Europe Listen Act Change: Handbook Professionals Working (Crowley, Larkins, Pinto). approaches decisions made device, agreed Iivari (290) “children today empowered switch mere users technologies adults shapers and, lines, transformers culture”. Exemplars Creations scope provide creations; found full available open (Stevenson al.), (Jayakumar However, below gallery exemplify outcomes convey To verbatim explanation creation. mentioned previously, 3-5-year-old DUPLO, 6-10 11-13 bricks. You note youngest group, (whose parents often present groups), loves. Interestingly, able clearly than (All names identifying characteristics been deidentified and/or removed.) Figure 1 (3–5 group): Nabha “Here two cameras, I’ve flowers decoration. Here my window, you enter here there’s bird fly My castle!” 2 Noah “I’m Brontosaurus I’m doing dinosaur very long neck”. (6–10 Mia her sense “I’ve means like lock it”. 4 Jack “it’s basically a[n] eye monster thing ... So, it’s supposed symbol what wrong know you’re do.” 5 (11–13 Han-Na, passionate games, “I mostly Minecraft, character, diamond underground It’s difficult wild, I it.” 6 Inesh nuanced ideas firewall keep safe online”. 7 Gitali, enjoyed rich gaming cute even scary. inspired game Roblox.” 8 Will, recounted cyber-stalked, creation represents “this person [who] tried stalk me decided leave somehow managed again”. 9 Nirav room home, PS5. setup - mouse, mouse pad, speakers, computer, keyboard CPU”. 10 Sophia, told us offline bullying, bully detector online... If aren’t bully, turn green bit pink kick out.” Limitations There limitations both application itself address. Firstly, there awaiting interested apply explore general, Secondly, length complex testing against forms entirely different conducted. word limits mean creations, authors encourage in-depth seek these, noted authored Stevenson Conclusion rationale part partner University. placed expert informant Through play-based, following precedent policymakers, sought Asia-Pacific countries influence countries. view participatory, play-centred respects keeping frameworks steps From conducting take embed ethic empowerment researching vivid windows whilst same empowering today’s agentic discussion futures. Acknowledgement Parts supported Australian number CE200100022 Group. References Bruner, Jerome. Culture Education. Massachusetts: Harvard UP, 1996. Christensen, Pia, Allison James. “Introduction: Childhood: Communication.” Children: Perspectives Practices. Eds. Pia Christenson Abingdon: Routledge, 2017. 1–10. Crowley, Anne, Cath Luis Manuel Pinto. Children. 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