Playground of resistance: Transforming social psychological boundaries into meaningful space

The systems of play and the power of playground design impact children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Some playgrounds are systematically designed, while others are explored and created by the children themselves. In the first case, playgrounds are imposed by parents, school authorities, and local urban governments with specific instructions and boundaries. In the second case, children- especially those from marginalized groups and segregated areas - explore their playgrounds, fostering a sense of achievement. Thus, children create their own spaces despite daily exclusions. Their imagination and freedom to navigate their social worlds symbolise their resistance. The construction of their play represents a collective activity that inspires hope for a meaningful group process. This research is a qualitative program aimed at understanding marginalized children's perspectives on play, how they meaningfully construct their play, and their collective sense of resistance against dominant playgrounds that are solely occupied by dominant groups.Keywords: Power dynamics; Children; Resistance; Playground; Diversity; Social Identity; India