Inclusion with joy: How a puppet engaged children with disabilities in participatory research
Background: Respectful, nurturing relationships are essential for children’s development and sense of belonging. Early childhood settings should be places of joy, filled with positive interactions between adults and children. Some children face barriers to experiencing this shared joy due to differences in communication. This study describes how a puppet removed these barriers and enabled all children and their teachers to share their perceptions of joy.
Aim: How do all children experience joy in early childhood settings? This study examined the prevalence and perception of joy in four early childhood centres, including educators and young children. The researcher aimed to understand and learn about the people, places, and things that bring children joy.
Method/approach: This qualitative study received ethical approval from the host university (2024/HE000680) and used consent for adults and assent for children. The ongoing study has included four preschools (five classes in total), with 60 children, 18 early childhood professionals, and a puppet named Joy. The research took place over 6–8 weeks in each setting, and data methods included detailed observations, interviews, reflections, and puppet play. Children were viewed as active decision-makers, able to express their views and influence the research activities.
Results/findings: The study found that children experienced joy in their relationships with teachers and friends, as well as in play. Puppetry was an activity that enabled all children to express and share their joy. The puppet also enabled adults and other children to see joy in one another, including children who did not use spoken language or encountered barriers to play and social interactions because of their disability. The puppet removed these barriers to belonging and increased the enactment of joyful moments.
Conclusion: Educators seeking to build joyful relationships with all children should consider the affordances of puppetry.
Implications for children and families: Joy is something we share, and through puppetry, you can see joy in others, feel it within yourself, and express it to those around you.
Implications for practitioners: A puppet can help you see children differently and change the way children see you.
Keywords: inclusion, puppetry, children’s communication rights
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: