Spaces for Transitions in Intergenerational Childhood Experiences

This chapter focuses on exploring spaces given to children’s voices in the discourse of intergenerational interactions through a review of literature done systematically. Particular focus is given to voices of young children – where are the children’s voices in these interactions? How are they listened to? How are their voices collected? The decision to focus on children’s voices in the realm of intergenerational experiences draws from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child () which upholds the view that children are competent, strong, active, participatory, meaning-makers, and fellow citizens that have a right to be involved in decisions affecting them and have the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions. Literature on intergenerational interactions was reviewed systematically through a PRISMA-inspired workflow process. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were utilised for database searches. Content analysis of the methodologies used in identified literature was conducted to see analyse recurring themes, trends or issues. A matrix has been developed and presented to summarise results. Results revealed potential spaces for transformations in intergenerational research to make a bigger space for younger children’s voices to be heard. A promising trend observed through an increase in use of qualitative participatory methodologies seems to be venue where children’s voices are acknowledged. This is a transitional and transformational space for intergenerational research with children, and not on or of them