ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we will be discussing research that is undertaken with very young children (from three to seven years old) from an early childhood education point of view. Typically, researchers are adults with mature cognitive abilities. Therefore, it is very common to imagine that adults may know what is best and most important for children. This kind of thinking may lead to research projects where children are not heard, and questions are set only from an adult perspective. Such an approach is problematic, as adults may ignore the fact that children can have relevant opinions to offer about their life circumstances and experiences. In response to this situation, the ´Skilled Kids´ research project was launched in Finland in 2015 to enhance understanding of young children’s lived experiences of movement and physical play. In this chapter, this research will be presented as one example of how to reflect and redesign with the CREATE principles (Connections, Reflexivity, Empathy, Adherence, Transparency, Empowerment) for research with children in their early years.
