ABSTRACT
The general principle of ‘a child’s right to be heard’ focuses on inclusion and participation which establishes the child’s right to express their views and to have those views and opinions respected and enacted. This chapter looks at ways in which play can be used to engage children in decisions affecting their health and development. This chapter uses children’s voices to explore participation from a variety of differing perspectives, as well as providing an insight into how play has been used by a teacher for facilitating participation and making learning enjoyable through the curriculum design process. The love of playing football and of learning languages describes the power of play as an intrinsic motivator for developing a sense of personal well-being. This chapter ends with a rallying call from a young expert who reminds us that enabling the participation of children with disabilities to share their lived experiences helps everyone to fulfill children’s rights.
