Barns lek och autonomi i förskolan : En filosofisk granskning av barnets och lekens etiska ställning i den svenska förskolan

Sammanfattning: This essay is a philosophical investigation of the relation between children and their play. My aim is to see if children are autonomous when it comes to their play. Is there a moral boundary between those who take part in the play and those who do not? This topic is especially important when it comes to the moral status of a child in the Swedish pre-school. How should educationists act when it comes to children’s play?   Through an analysis of the notions of play and autonomy I show that play can be understood as something of a moral value to the child and if children should be seen as autonomous when it comes to their play. In my notional investigation I rely on common sense tradition of the philosophy of ordinary language and I also postulate three values which I state constitutes good play, free consent, respected seclusion and meaningfulness. On my results I base an investigation of the policy document of the Swedish pre-school and an argumentation for the strengthening of the respect towards children’s autonomy and play in the policy as a governing document for the pre-school as an institution.