Madeleine Rose Dobson

Our position on play

December 3, 2018 by maddierosedobson

A statement in support of children’s play by @CurtinEducation Recently, Curtin’s School of Education launched a position statement on play. I was proud to develop this statement in collaboration with my Early Childhood colleagues Jenny Jay, Jane Merewether, and Megan Bankes. We are passionate about the significance of play and the right of all children to play, and we wanted to create a statement in keeping with this passion. As we developed the statement, we received valuable feedback from our […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: children's rights, play

On a rediscovery of self

May 2, 2023 by maddierosedobson

At the moment, I find myself on study leave. I am at the three month mark now and I feel compelled to honour what this time has meant to me so far. I also felt compelled to update this blog at long last (it really has been far too long). To have six months wholly devoted to research has been life-changing. It has allowed me the time and space to really focus on my work: on the projects which had […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: academic life, creative writing, image of child, research

Emotionless, malleable little ornaments: Is this our image of children?

September 19, 2019 by maddierosedobson

The representation of children matters. When children are represented – whether, for example, in film and television, or on social media – this is not without consequence.

Categories: feature article • Tags: children's rights, image of child

Recognising and respecting the right of all children to play

July 29, 2019 by maddierosedobson

This article was originally written for WAIER Features. The significance of play deserves recognition and respect by all stakeholders in children’s lives. Play is recognised as a right of all children in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Research that speaks to the benefits of play is long-existing, extensive, and decisive. Play is integral to children’s development across domains (e.g. Gordon, 2014) and influences key areas such as children’s psychological wellbeing (e.g. Chang, Qian & Yarnal, […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: children's rights, play

Curtin Explorer: A day of nature play

January 11, 2019 by maddierosedobson

Late last year, on Saturday 8th December 2018, Nature Play WA and Curtin University collaborated to host the Curtin Explorer event. Curtin Explorer presented an exciting opportunity for children and families to visit Curtin’s beautiful Bentley campus and enjoy a day of play. I was glad to be invited to contribute and I teamed up with my Early Childhood Education colleagues Jenny Jay and Jane Merewether to do so. Jenny, Jane, and I decided to focus on two experiences at […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: play