Visual methods for encouraging adult-child dialogue in Scotland

This case study is drawn from a longitudinal research study that took place in two primary schools in Scotland over the course of a year. The aim of the study was to explore young children’s experiences of the visual arts in and out of school. Supporting children to express their voice was key to the study. A research design was created which acknowledged that children have their own voice from birth and that the adult role is to support and enable that voice to be heard. As a lecturer and researcher from a local university, I worked in both schools with the pupils. Establishing a culture of trust between the children and me so that conversations could emerge was therefore a key element of the design. Visual and arts-informed methods were adopted.