Children’s participation in the curricular production of early childhood edu-cation through playfull activities and interactions

This study aims to analyze the participation of children in the curricular development of Early Childhood Education through playful activities and interactions, both among the children themselves and with adults. It is a Collaborative Action Research involving 50 children and five adults (teachers and the principal). Data was collected through field diaries, focusing on the children’s statements, narrative interviews with adults, and photography. The research focused on revitalizing the toy library of a Children's Educational Municipal Center in the city of Vitória/ES, where children use strategies to engage with and occupy this playful space in ways that reflect their interests and needs. In this context, the children challenge the adults to subvert the predictable logic of schooling and to explore alternative educational approaches that recognize their agency and cultural expressions. This process has had a significant impact on the professional development of the teachers involved, who have been prompted to reframe their teaching practices and view the children as co-producers of the curriculum.