The PhD Defence in Educational Sciences of candidate Susana Manso, will take place at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Porto (FPCEUP) on 20 December 2024, at 2.30 pm. The thesis, entitled  “Children’s play choreographies: Physical play as the performative site of Children’s body movement explorations with peers and metter”  was developed under the supervision of  Manuela Ferreira, Associate Professor of FPCEUP and Henrique Vaz, Assistant Professor of FPCEUP, both members of CIIE.

The session is open to the public.

Evaluation panel
Chair: Fátima Pereira, Full Professor FPCEUP
Members:
Carlos Neto, Retired Full Professor at the Faculty of Human Motricity in Lisbon.
Catarina Tomás, Coordinating Professor Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon.
Mafalda Deville, Individual of Recognised Competence (  Person of recognised competence)
Isabel Menezes, Full Professor FPCEUP
Sofia Marques da Silva, Associate Professor FPCEUP
Manuela Ferreira, Associate Professor  FPCEUP - supervisor.

ABSTRACT:

This doctoral thesis embarks on a captivating expedition through the territory of childhood play, where each movement, interaction, and material entity become part of an enchanting choreography, revealing the intricate tapestry of the vibrant world of childhood. Based on ethnographic research with preschool children in Portugal, the study demonstrates the dual nature of kindergarten as both an institutional space dealing with governance issues and a social, cultural, and material arena where children actively participate in collective play routines. The crucial role of the educator in organizing the educational environment according to curriculum guidelines is highlighted while simultaneously examining the occupation and utilization of this environment by children. Inspired by Corsaro’s interpretive reproduction process (2012, 2015) and weaving together other perspectives from the Sociology of Childhood, the Sociology of the Body, Post-Humanist and New Materialist Studies, and Dance Studies, the research explores the interaction between children and their bodily movement, space, and objects during improvised play events. The narrative emphasizes the need to visualize these activities from the children’s perspective, recognizing their agency and the active role of material entities. As the journey unfolds, universal themes common to all improvised play activities – socio-dramatic role-play, fantasy play, and physical play – are highlighted. By transcending traditional dichotomies, the research offers a fresh perspective on social and material interactions defining children’s improvised play activities at kindergarten, particularly spotlighting physical play. The focus is on corporal challenges, shedding light on often-overlooked dynamics, where body movement becomes the medium of interactive explorations between humans and non-humans. The narrative ventures into unexplored contexts where children collaboratively shape their physical encounters with peers and the tangible world, offering profound insights into their explorative journeys, where materiality extends beyond space and objects to encompass body movement as a performative entity and influential element in co-creating play experiences. This journey sheds light on the intricate choreography of children’s play, enriching the comprehension of their socialization process at kindergarten.