On the United Nations International Day of Play, Singapore-based children’s charity Playeum unveiled its groundbreaking insight report, What Matters to Our Children?. Supported by the LEGO Group, the project places children’s voices at the heart of the conversation, offering fresh perspectives for policymakers, educators, community leaders, and the media.
The report challenges a common misconception: that meaningful contributions come only from older children. By using a play-based, child-participatory approach, Playeum demonstrates that even children as young as six can articulate thoughtful ideas, and are eager to share them when given the right tools and space.
The Children Who Shaped the Report
Over 201 children, aged 3 to 14, took part in 10 interactive workshops. An overwhelming majority of 95% were between 6 and 11 years old.
Rather than simply asking questions, Playeum encouraged creativity. Children expressed their thoughts through LEGO builds, drawings, repurposed materials, written notes, and conversations. This multi-sensory approach allowed them to communicate beyond words, making space for emotions, experiences, and imagination.
Key Insights from ‘What Matters to Our Children?’
Awareness of Inequality
An impressive 80% of participants reflected on issues such as bullying, poverty, homelessness, and fairness. Their responses revealed deep empathy and a keen sense of justice, qualities that can shape a more compassionate society.
Environmental Concerns
Nearly half (49%) voiced worries about the environment, with many envisioning creative solutions powered by technology. From building pollution-cleaning robots to designing greener cities, their ideas blended innovation with care for the planet.
While homework received an enthusiastic thumbs-down, children weren’t opposed to learning. Instead, they proposed making education more meaningful, inclusive, and hands-on, transforming classrooms into spaces for discovery rather than rote memorisation.
Family as a Source of Security
For many, family was described as a safe haven, a source of happiness, comfort, and stability, especially in uncertain times.
Call for Action
Children called on leaders, from the Government and Prime Minister to the President of Singapore and even the United Nations, to hear them and take action. They wanted their voices to travel beyond home and school into the places where real change happens.
A Wake-Up Call for Parents
If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on in your child’s mind, this report is a wake-up call. It reveals that children are not only paying attention to the world around them. They are forming their own opinions, solutions, and dreams for the future.
For parents, this is an invitation to slow down and listen more deeply. When children share their thoughts, whether about fairness, the environment, or how they want to learn, they’re opening a door into their values and emotional world. By engaging with these ideas, parents can nurture confidence, empathy, and critical thinking skills that will last a lifetime.
The takeaway? Your child is ready to be heard. The only question is, are we ready to listen?
So, the next time you wonder what’s on your child’s mind, remember — they’re already brimming with ideas, solutions, and dreams for the world they live in. All we have to do is listen, and the future might just surprise us in the best way.
