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Shifting the Focus: Seven Recommendations from Children Highlighting Conditions That Enhance Intentional Engagement in Curriculum-Work and Participatory Wellbeing

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Title: Shifting the Focus: Seven Recommendations from Children Highlighting Conditions That Enhance Intentional Engagement in Curriculum-Work and Participatory Wellbeing
Language: English
Authors: Eleanore Hargreaves (ORCID 0000-0002-5630-6995), Laura Quick (ORCID 0009-0004-3774-4588), Denise Buchanan
Source: Education 3-13. 2025 53(7):1071-1084.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Well Being, Elementary School Students, Student Attitudes, Low Achievement, Learner Engagement, Foreign Countries, Childrens Attitudes, Student Motivation, Elementary School Curriculum, Curriculum Development, Academic Achievement, Student Participation
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom (England)
DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2025.2529873
ISSN: 0300-4279
1475-7575
Abstract: From a social justice perspective, schools' curriculum must shift to promote participatory wellbeing. However, what do primary school children themselves recommend about how participatory wellbeing be promoted, especially those who are 'lower-attainers'? This article portrays ideas from 23 children whose school-life-histories we constructed through 12 termly individual, lengthy interviews and observations, over four years. Through these, we developed seven key recommendations for schools and teachers. The children's recommendations accorded with Ryan and Deci's theory that -- to evidence wellbeing -- children's needs for a Sense of Competence, Autonomy and Relatedness must be fulfilled. The children recommended emphasising healthy relationships among children; nurturing a strong sense of belonging and participation; boosting respect among teachers for children; and facilitating collaboration among friends and peers. They proposed making lessons more engaging; minimising testing and 'attainment grouping'; providing opportunities for de-stressing; and encouraging children's critical reflection on classroom learning and teaching. We conclude that future curriculum development needs to take children's experiences into account and therefore to focus more strongly on their Sense of Autonomy and Relatedness.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501771
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Shifting the Focus: Seven Recommendations from Children Highlighting Conditions That Enhance Intentional Engagement in Curriculum-Work and Participatory Wellbeing
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eleanore+Hargreaves%22">Eleanore Hargreaves</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5630-6995">0000-0002-5630-6995</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Laura+Quick%22">Laura Quick</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3774-4588">0009-0004-3774-4588</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Denise+Buchanan%22">Denise Buchanan</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+3-13%22"><i>Education 3-13</i></searchLink>. 2025 53(7):1071-1084.
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Kingdom+%28England%29%22">United Kingdom (England)</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1080/03004279.2025.2529873
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  Data: 0300-4279<br />1475-7575
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  Data: From a social justice perspective, schools' curriculum must shift to promote participatory wellbeing. However, what do primary school children themselves recommend about how participatory wellbeing be promoted, especially those who are 'lower-attainers'? This article portrays ideas from 23 children whose school-life-histories we constructed through 12 termly individual, lengthy interviews and observations, over four years. Through these, we developed seven key recommendations for schools and teachers. The children's recommendations accorded with Ryan and Deci's theory that -- to evidence wellbeing -- children's needs for a Sense of Competence, Autonomy and Relatedness must be fulfilled. The children recommended emphasising healthy relationships among children; nurturing a strong sense of belonging and participation; boosting respect among teachers for children; and facilitating collaboration among friends and peers. They proposed making lessons more engaging; minimising testing and 'attainment grouping'; providing opportunities for de-stressing; and encouraging children's critical reflection on classroom learning and teaching. We conclude that future curriculum development needs to take children's experiences into account and therefore to focus more strongly on their Sense of Autonomy and Relatedness.
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        Value: 10.1080/03004279.2025.2529873
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
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      – SubjectFull: Well Being
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Low Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Childrens Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
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      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Curriculum
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Development
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      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
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      – SubjectFull: Student Participation
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      – SubjectFull: United Kingdom (England)
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      – TitleFull: Shifting the Focus: Seven Recommendations from Children Highlighting Conditions That Enhance Intentional Engagement in Curriculum-Work and Participatory Wellbeing
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