Children at Work and Play. Observations from the Khovsgol Province, Mongolia, the Saloum Delta, Senegal and Mutitjulu, Central Australia

Children in traditional societies, including the Saloum Delta, Senegal, play a significant role in economic and social structures from around six years old, contributing to subsistence tasks while maintaining a balance with their developmental needs. This study highlights how children in non-Western economies are integrated into adult work, often using adult tools within flexible frameworks that accommodate their limitations. Unlike Western cultures where child labor is less common, these societies emphasize role-playing and environmental knowledge acquisition, treating children as integral members of economic activities. The research draws from informal observations during fieldwork in Mongolia, Senegal, and Australia, revealing striking parallels across different cultural contexts.

Hardy, K. (2026). Children at Work and Play. Observations from the Khovsgol Province, Mongolia, the Saloum Delta, Senegal and Mutitjulu, Central Australia. Childhood in the Past, 19(1), 4–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/17585716.2026.2637850