Consulting with children should not be seen as an extra chore; it is just a different way of approaching what you do every day. It involves encouraging children, giving them the opportunity to tell you their views, and building those views into the planning process. This approach should underpin everything you do. So, even something as straightforward as water play can be approached in a new way when the wishes of children are taken into account.
Training is essential for practitioners to be able to work in this way, but it is worth the effort, bringing enormous benefits to children, staff and parents. For children, it enhances their self-esteem, makes them confident, independent and creative learners, and reduces the potential for conflict between children and between children and staff.
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