How Do You Get Children Involved In Making Decisions

[Guest]

We are looking at how we listen to children in our childrens centre and how we include them in making decisions (draw pictures, take photos, asking the children what they want to do in a session,involving them in planning)

Any ideas please, thankyou

[HappyMaz]

One of the first things our new Senior Practitioner - also known as campbells - did was to introduce Plan/Do/Review. We talk to the children during registration what they are going to do during the session, having outlined what is available etc. Then during the session we'll see if they need any support/reminders about what they said they were going to do. Finally we'll review what they have done/learned later in the session.

 

This is very much at the beginning - we're planning on building on this so that eventually we are involving children in much more detailed discussions about their plans so that they can identify the tools and resources they need and the techniques they might use etc. We hope that the more familiar children are with making short term plans the more advanced their skills will become.

 

Maz

[Guest]

Wow what a great thread, very interested in this one, will be keeping a close eye on it. There is a similar topic that I started yesterday, some good reading in tere if you eed more ideas....although this one started up with you Happymaz a little more to the point than what I started. Much more clear thanks xx

[mundia]

Hi unsworth, have you considered looking at the mosaic approach..its remarkably telling in terms of the children's voice.

[HappyMaz]

Hi unsworth, have you considered looking at the mosaic approach..its remarkably telling in terms of the children's voice.

You can find the original book: "Listening to Young Children: The Mosaic Approach" on Amazon here. I see that Alison Clark wrote another book: "Spaces to Play: More Listening to Young Children Using the Mosaic Approach" which you can find here.

 

Maz

[surfer]

Have you heard of Mindstretchers- "Talking, thinking floorbooks"

 

Its all about consulting children and getting them involved - find out more here

Edited July 26, 2010 by surfer

[Guest]

Thank you maz,mundia and surfer -will look at all your suggestions!

[Guest]

This is a brilliant book with lots of ideas:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Critical-Skills-Ea...mp;sr=8-1-fkmr3

 

Carrots x

[catma]

If you've got funds you can't beat this - it's been the basis for a big piece of work in my LA.

 

http://www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/openup/listening/index.html

[Guest pamgreen]

Have you seen the questionnaire Ofsted have for children 20 questions. We handed it out to parents at parents evening, majority completed it and used the children's own words. It was brilliant and gave a wonderful insight to just what the children thought. It gave us ideas on how we could change things for the better.