Abstract
Childhood has been a subject of interest in researches as well as in academic productions, both in human and social sciences. What has been produced, therefore, regarding the definitions or conceptions of this life period? Have children had voice to state who they are and what it means to be a child? This article reports the experience of a research project, done with qualitative bias through participant observation, production of field journals and the development and analysis of two narratives about playing with children. Two children were observed, in school environment, then in encounters where the researcher played with each one of them alone. The results point to the issue of work as a present element in the children’s preoccupations. The school does not offer friendly places when it comes to playing and experiencing creativity and imagination.
Keywords:
childhood; narratives; playing