Children's play is the origin of social activity

SUMMARY The article is based on my study, Playing researchers, which was published in two parts, as a video and as a text (Riihela, 2000). This research and development project focused its attention on children's thoughts and collaborative behaviour by using the new Storycrafting method. The play and interaction of small, 1 to 6 year old children in educational situations organised by day-care personnel was recorded on video-tape (in total, 14 hours, 20 children, 5 adults). The research showed that children's thoughts and viewpoints are brought out when they are allowed to play an active role and when educational work is directed by children's ways of producing knowledge through telling stories, playing and doing research. The joint activity of children and their ways of producing knowledge were analysed and compared with adult practices and learning environments. Among other things the research showed that, due to their innate collaborative playing skills, their zest for life and their rich imaginations,...