Children at Play in the City: A Study of Children's Folklore, Mythology, and Theatre

FAIN: GY-10079-72

Unaffiliated independent scholar
Charles Zerner (Project Director: September 1972 to present)

To describe, photograph and document children's play, fantasy ingenuity and invention within those spaces of the urban environment not intentionally designed for children, streets, alleys, lots, nooks and rooftops. To formulate a deeper understanding of mythology, folklore and theatrical ritual as it exists in spontaneous play of the child. To formulate criteria for design of humane urban places for children on the basis of children's preferences and needs. The findings, recorded on tape, in a narrative document, on photographs of San Francisco scenes, drawings, and stories by the children and principal investigator will be published in a book and used in a mobile graphic exhibit.