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Honoring Children's Agency: A Systematic Review of Research 'with' and 'by' Children in Environmental Contexts

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Title: Honoring Children's Agency: A Systematic Review of Research 'with' and 'by' Children in Environmental Contexts
Language: English
Authors: Claire Underwood
Source: International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education. 2026 13(1):22-38.
Availability: North American Association for Environmnental Education. 1725 DeSales Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-419-0412; Web site: https://naturalstart.org/research
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2026
Intended Audience: Researchers; Teachers
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, Environmental Education, Climate, Young Children, Environmental Research, Research Methodology, Student Research, Child Role, Researchers, Barriers
ISSN: 2331-0464
Abstract: As climate impacts increase, research that meaningfully engages young children as agents of change could contribute to children's confidence, sense of belonging, and agency. Further, research "with" and "by" young children has been identified as an emerging trend in the field of Environmental Education Research (Green, 2015). This systematic literature review explores the theoretical and methodological approaches utilized in research conducted with and by young children in environmental contexts and seeks to contribute to a broader conversation that will equip researchers and early childhood educators to engage in effective and impactful participatory action research with young children. It appears that it is not the specific theoretical or methodological approach that ensures research "by" children, but the child's active involvement in the project before and beyond the data collection phase which requires the researcher's active reflexivity and willingness to release control and power over the research process.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506100
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: North American Association for Environmnental Education. 1725 DeSales Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-419-0412; Web site: https://naturalstart.org/research
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  Data: As climate impacts increase, research that meaningfully engages young children as agents of change could contribute to children's confidence, sense of belonging, and agency. Further, research "with" and "by" young children has been identified as an emerging trend in the field of Environmental Education Research (Green, 2015). This systematic literature review explores the theoretical and methodological approaches utilized in research conducted with and by young children in environmental contexts and seeks to contribute to a broader conversation that will equip researchers and early childhood educators to engage in effective and impactful participatory action research with young children. It appears that it is not the specific theoretical or methodological approach that ensures research "by" children, but the child's active involvement in the project before and beyond the data collection phase which requires the researcher's active reflexivity and willingness to release control and power over the research process.
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      – SubjectFull: Literature Reviews
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Environmental Education
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      – SubjectFull: Climate
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      – SubjectFull: Young Children
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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