Children’s “Voices” in Early Childhood
Choose 3 of the following questions and answer
Theme Three: Children’s “Voices” in Early Childhood Contexts
Reflect on the following questions as you complete the required readings for this week.
Questions
1.How important do you think it is to include your students’ values, perspectives, and interests in the early childhood classroom?
2.Can you recall a time as a child where you believed the teacher did or did not value your voice?
3.Young children are proficient in expressing themselves in multiple ways. In what ways can we learn about children’s interests and passions as demonstrated by their actions and ideas?
4.How would you ‘set up’ an environment that supports young children to express their ideas in diverse ways?
5.In what ways do we include voices of individuals often silenced in our classrooms, for example Indigenous perspectives or children who do not express their ideas verbally?
Sample Solution
Experiences of relationships and participation in communities contribute to children`s belonging, being and becoming. From birth, children experience living and learning with others in a range of communities. These might include families, local communities or early childhood settings. Having a positive sense of identity and experiencing respectful, responsive relationships strengthens children`s interest and skills in being and becoming active contributors to their world (DEEWR, 2009, p. 25). The idea that teachers know more than students is central to education. But there is also value in bringing student voices into the classroom and making their ideas and experiences an integral part of the class. Teaching is not just about delivering information to students; it is about encouraging them to add their voices and perspectives to the classroom.
