Children Deconstructing Childhood

Commentaries on childhood, whilst abundant, largely depend on secondary sources, namely adults. This research attempts to address the question ‘what is childhood?’ by consulting the primary source — children. This case study, of children attending a day‐care centre in the West Midlands, England, adopted research tools that were developed to meet the needs of young children as research participants. Perspectives of childhood were identified and labelled the ‘Playful Child’, the ‘Unknowing Child’, the ‘Needful Child’ and the ‘Unauthorised Child’. The findings suggest a necessary review of the role of the early years practitioner, in particular where practitioners are ‘playing with’ young children.