What Children Say About School: Listening to Their Voices
Project UpdateAs part of “The Voice of Children” project, we asked children a simple question: “What do you think about school?”
The responses shared in this video are from interviews conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 with children from around the world about their school and social life. Importantly, these questions were asked without reference to the pandemic—we wanted to understand their general experience, not just their response to extraordinary circumstances.
The Questions We Asked
We approached children with curiosity and openness, asking:
- What do you think of school?
- What do you like about school?
- What don’t you like about school?
- What would your ideal school look like?
Their answers were refreshingly honest. Some love school, some don’t. But all of them had something important to say.
Why Their Voices Matter
Children’s words are simple but true. They cut through adult assumptions and get straight to what matters: feeling seen, being with friends, learning things that interest them, and being treated with respect.
One child in our interviews said simply: “Mamma… è che non tutti sognano la vita” (Mom… not everyone dreams of life). Their words may be simple, but they are genuine—and they reach straight to the heart.
When we listen to children without judgment, we create space for them to share their real experiences. This helps us understand:
- What makes them excited to learn
- What challenges they face
- What they need from the adults around them
- How they truly experience their daily school life
Watch: Children Share Their Thoughts on School
*English subtitles available – click the three dots (⋮) to select subtitles”
The responses shared in this video come from interviews conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 about children’s school and social life in general, without making reference to the pandemic in the questions.
What We Learned
Listening to these interviews reminded us that children have profound wisdom about what works and what doesn’t in education. They know when adults are truly present with them. They understand the difference between learning that engages them and learning that feels meaningless. They recognize when they’re being heard—and when they’re not.
This project taught us that the first step in improving education isn’t creating new programs or systems. It’s simply listening to the children themselves.
Related: Read the Statistical Analysis Report of 220 interviews from 18 countries, conducted by Dott.ssa Chiara Nicole Di Marzio (Child Psychologist) and Dott.ssa Alessia Bentivoglio.
Project: The Voice of Children
Countries: 18 countries worldwide
Interviews: 220 children aged 5-12
