Codesign for pedagogical play practices in schools

According to the U.N. Child Convention all children have the right to play. In the context of an increased focus on children’s learnings skills in Nordic schools, there is a risk, however, that play in schools will be reduced to either tools for learning or to a concept of ‘free play’ related to adult-free activities. Yet, at the same time there seems to be an increased number of children that do not thrive in schools. This study explore how pedagogues and researcher by codesigning for play with children in schools can promote play, fun and hope. In addition, there is a special focus on children who needs pedagogical support in order to find unique ways of joining play. The study drags on design research and Nordic pedagogical research, aiming to develop pedagogical practices that can promote play as something that professional pedagogues can act on in order to enhance play participation for all children.