Perspectives of Time-Use: Exploring the Use of Drawings, Interviews and Rating-Scales with Children Aged 6-7 Years

Abstract

Written time-diaries are used to investigate older children's occupational engagement, both in the clinic and for research purposes. Time-diaries for young children are usually presented by parents or care-givers through proxy recall. This paper details the findings from a qualitative study exploring the ability of normally developing children, aged 6-7 years, to present their own time-diaries. Data were gathered from seven children living in the north of Israel, using drawings, interviews, and rating scales. The findings offer insights into children's understanding of time-use. The children were able to represent their daily activities and routines in drawings. Rating-scales confirmed the importance of activities to them, whilst the interviews retrieved more in-depth information relating to their understanding of tempo and temporality. Evaluation of the methods and processes indicate the need for a combination of data-gathering tools to present personal time-diaries and fully comprehend children's perceptions of time-use.