Who are the clients in school based design and technology projects?

Young children are often highly motivated by design and technological tasks and very often the motivation springs from their desire to achieve a particular purpose - to design and make a house for their teddy, a hideaway for themselves and their friends, something to keep special treasures in. This purpose is often related directly to a particular client. However, there are other driving forces that keep a child engaged in activity. This paper explores the interaction between the different motivational and other factors that lie behind the development of design and technology projects in schools, focusing on younger children. The purpose of the paper is twofold. First, it aims to explore the nature and importance of clients in d&t activity. Second it aims to tease out some critical dimensions in supporting children to take ownership of tasks and engage with them to the point that their own development is maximised.