Co-Designing School Routes with Children: What Matters in Sensory Design for Wellbeing?
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsI found the article engaging and appreciated the opportunity to consider how its ideas might relate to involving children in the development and design of environments and objects intended for their play and physical activity.
The article presents Deci and Ryan’s theory in a well-interpreted manner and appropriately references it in the discussion. However, expanding on this theoretical framework with a few additional sentences in the discussion section could further strengthen the connection between theory and practice.
Author Response
Comments 1: The article presents Deci and Ryan’s theory in a well-interpreted manner and appropriately references it in the discussion. However, expanding on this theoretical framework with a few additional sentences in the discussion section could further strengthen the connection between theory and practice.
Response 1: Thank you for noticing this lack of connection, I agree that it would strengthen the connection between theory and practice. I have updated the discussion section referring to the SDT and the three core needs.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsReview
Already at the beginning of the article, the authors introduce the idea of embedding the wishes and opinions of people /in this case, the children/, as this embedding should be present in all initiatives and activities towards a person. In all scientific and practical developments that are created with care for society.
The authors emphasize that this unfortunately rarely happens with the group of children in Sweden. Undoubtedly, data are presented that prove the relevance and significance of the problem. Surprisingly, in a country like Sweden, which has a well-developed social system, many children need mental health services, which in turn shows us that special attention needs to be paid to the care of children, both by parents and by the state.
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) was used, which demonstrates the reliability of the study. In addition, the authors provide definitions of all components of the theory.
It is very impressive that attention has been paid to emotions and sensory decisions in children, as they are the leading factors in their decision-making, as well as in the subjective experience of well-being.
The authors conducted a series of workshops with the children, including their teachers.
I appreciate the applied methods as extremely well-chosen and reliable, because whenever we do something for someone, they must be included in the development and testing of the method.
The authors have complied with the ethical principles for research on children and have described each of them applied in their study.
It is impressive that the study also included school staff, as they work directly with the children.
The materials in the first phase /or as the authors call it – phase 0/ are prepared exclusively with a sensory focus, which is key in working with children. It is very important here that the role of the team is that of a facilitator and does not direct the children what to do.
Four seminars were held, each of which is described in detail - Memory recall, Sensory walk, Analog co-creation, Digital co-creation with AI and VR and photographic material is attached.
An important part of the results is that they will be used as a basis for the municipality's assessment of the impact on children, which in turn is one of the most important things, namely that the achievements of scientists can be used in practice and children can benefit from them.
The results are described in detail, even quoting the children. In addition, the children were asked for feedback on their feelings and emotions.
The discussion describes and analyzes the workshops that were held.
The authors also focused on challenges and future directions.
The individual sections are developed in a logical sequence. The statements are presented comprehensively and with arguments, along with literary sources.
The paper contains all the necessary components - introduction, Sensory co-design, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion Conclusions, Applications.
Literature review is very good, including current sources from recent years.
Notes:
There are no disadvantages that I would like to comment.
I would only recommend that the authors continue their research in this area, applying it more broadly, in larger communities, in order to enhance the overall well-being of children.
Recommendations:
Accept in Present Form: The paper can be accepted without any further changes.
Author Response
Comments 1: There are no disadvantages that I would like to comment. I would only recommend that the authors continue their research in this area, applying it more broadly, in larger communities, in order to enhance the overall well-being of children.
Response 1: Thank you so much for your words, thank you for acknowledging the importance of working with children since this is one of the reasons why I entered the world of research. My wish is to continue this work and work more hands-on with municipalities and policies.
