Using creative research methods and movement to encourage reflection in children

Reflection is a vital part of learning, and yet in early childhood research work on reflection is most commonly on that undertaken by teachers, and not children. This paper draws from a participatory study showing how creative research methods and somatic movement enabled 22 children aged 4-11 to reflect on their experiences and document their reflections, and reports findings for children aged 4-8. The aim of the research was to encourage the children to reflect deeply on their experiences, and to generate rich data. These data were used at the end of the study to stimulate discussion. The children demonstrated that they were able to reflect and articulate their experiences of the pressure to be right, the processes of journaling and drawing, and reflection itself. The study used a variety of methods including journaling, drawing, mark-making and modelling as part of regular sessions of somatic movement exploration and education over two years within the school day.