‘It’s not fun, because it’s not allowed’: indoor running, participation and children’s agency in a Norwegian ECEC centre

Abstract

This article examines the scope of children’s agency in light of children’s right to participate in an indoor Norwegian ECEC centre, focusing on running activities. Drawing on data from a Norwegian ECEC centre, the study explores children’s and teachers’ perceptions of indoor running and how teachers’ views shape children’s opportunities for agency. Indoor running is commonly restricted by personnel. Children described running indoors as either fun or simply not allowed, while most teachers described indoor running as highly problematic and potentially dangerous, while acknowledging that children ran while having fun. We discuss the results in light of a sociocultural understanding of agency, children’s need for and access to physical activity and children’s right to participate. The study highlights the need to critically examine taken-for-granted practices that may need to be re-evaluated to better align with children’s right to participate and their needs for physical activity in early childhood.