Most of us would say that involving children in making decisions about things that affect them is a great idea. But it's easier said than done, and too often early years staff pay only lip service to the principle of consulting children, or assume that they know how children feel without really asking them. So the pioneering study from Stirling Council in Scotland into how children's views can be taken into account is to be welcomed (see News, pages 4-5). It has resulted in a really practical guide, Children as Partners, with useful suggestions about the best ways to consult children and improve nursery practice. Many early years settings could benefit from adopting its approach.
Most of us would say that involving children in making decisions about things that affect them is a great idea. But it's easier said than done, and too often early years staff pay only lip service to the principle of consulting children, or assume that they know how children feel without really asking them.
So the pioneering study from Stirling Council in Scotland into how children's views can be taken into account is to be welcomed (see News, pages 4-5). It has resulted in a really practical guide, Children as Partners, with useful suggestions about the best ways to consult children and improve nursery practice. Many early years settings could benefit from adopting its approach.
This week's Nursery World is packed with lots more essential advice and information, including a new-style project which ties in closely with Foundation Stage guidance, and a new series of mini topics on nursery rhymes. We also tackle the thorny issue of what to do about parents who always arrive late to pick up their children, and look at how babies and toddlers benefit from contact with older children at nursery.
