The voice of the child in the ELC practice

The child's voice is a crucial tool in Early Childhood Education and Care (ELC) practice, ensuring the importance of listening to and respecting the child's perspectives, needs and desires. By applying tools such as Aistear and Siolta in Ireland, the remarkable active participation of children was ensured, becoming protagonists in their own development.

ELC practice of valuing children's voices involves creating environments that encourage expression and participation. This goes beyond simply listening; it’s about validating children’s experiences and opinions. Strategies such as regular discussion meetings, peer groups and participatory activities are used to give children meaningful opportunities to express their ideas, feelings and interests.

Aistear involvement, with its four interconnected themes, highlights communication as an essential component. Encouraging effective communication is one way to ensure that a child is heard and valued. Educators are advised to seek to create environments in which people feel comfortable expressing themselves, whether through verbal language, gestures or other forms of communication.

As for Siolta, the program highlights the importance of active participation, highlighting the need to involve children in decisions that affect them directly. This ranges from everyday choices to broader issues in the learning environment.

Promoting autonomy and empowerment by encouraging them to make their own decisions reinforces the child's active role in their own lives, whether academic or private.

The child's voice in ELC practice is also reflected in policies that promote active listening.

Professionals are instructed to consider children's opinions when planning activities, preparing spaces and evaluating practices, which release children as active agents in building their knowledge and developing social skills.

In short, children's participation in ELC practice in Ireland is promoted through programs such as Aistear and Siolta, which highlights the importance of communication, participation and respect for children's views. They are also responsible for creating environments that value autonomy and expression, which fully contribute to the development and well-being of children from the first years of life.