Exploring Patterns of Child Agency in the Free Play of a Four-Year-Old Nuri Class

Key Points

• This study aims to understand the presence of child agency in a four-year-old's free play to provide foundational data for promoting active learning.
• Observational study of 18 children in a class over nine months, with participation in free play sessions of 40-90 minutes, 1-2 times a week, totaling 70 observations.
• Data collected through video and photographs, then recorded and transcribed for analysis.
• Child agency manifested in two main aspects: independent (initiating play, tackling challenges, and problem-solving) and cooperative (building relationships while playing).
• Findings suggest that understanding child agency can inform teachers on how to support children's self-constructed learning.

Abstract