Experiences of and in childhood in the university

Abstract

Childhood and children must be central to societies committed to sustainable development; therefore, such themes must be on the agenda of Universities in order to boost the development, attention, assistance, health, education, and protection of children, through active and responsible social actions. This article was developed based on the case of the Childhood Laboratory (LabInf), aiming to discuss the implications of children at the University through teaching, research, and extension actions. Based on Benjamin, Bondía, and Thompson, among others, we maintain that through experience—playing, imagining, creating, playing, and moving—the child rehearses, produces, and presents his or her face in relation to the world, affecting and being affected. We affirm the centrality of experiences for children to be producers of their childhood and drivers of child development, as well as for the transformation of the cultural framework in which children are marked by lack towards recognition and appreciation of the Power of childhood.