Participation in the early years

Research on the principles and practice of effective participation

Young children's citizenship: Ideas into practice
This simple but comprehensive report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation argues that children have a right to meaningful participation in making decisions. 'Young children's citizenship: Ideas into practice' discusses how adults might take action on children’s views - this might be by the adult alone, by the adult along with the child, or indeed by the children by themselves.

They explain consultation as a cycle which moves through the following stages:

• identifying an issue or theme to investigate
• planning methods of investigation
• engaging particular children and adults in the process
• exploring issues through discussion or other methods of communication
• analysing findings, feeding back, crystallising viewpoints
• discussing possible courses of action or future plans
• facilitating whatever plans are agreed
• monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the process
• assessing outcomes
• refining future strategies for participation.

The report is available to download free from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Listening as a way of life
The Listening as a Way of Life series of leaflets published by the Early Years Unit at the National Children’s Bureau includes information leaflets on:

• An introduction to why and how we listen to very young children
• Listening to young disabled children
• Listening to babies
• Supporting parents and carers to listen: Guide for practitioners
• Are equalities an issue? Finding out what young children think
• Listening and responding to young children’s views on food. 

The entire series is free to download.

Children in Scotland research
Children in Scotland's website has a comprehensive section which details principles, examples and links to other organisations that promote increasing children’s participation.

Involving Children
'Involving children: a guide to engaging children in decision-making' is an accessible, useful guide from New Zealand on the principles and practice of children’s participation. Some specific sections focus on the New Zealand curriculum and Maori and Pacific children but it is still a helpful document for staff teams thinking about how to improve children’s participation in the early years. (The link above takes you to a page of search results - just scroll down to find the guide.)