Nursery World - Listen in

The idea of listening to children is bandied about with growing frequency, but it is not as easy as it may sound. Peter Moss explores its importance and its difficulties Listening to young children has almost become a buzzword these days, and an increasing number of projects put talk into action. But let's ask first, why listen? Why might it matter? What are the problems or pitfalls?

Listening to young children has almost become a buzzword these days, and an increasing number of projects put talk into action. But let's ask first, why listen? Why might it matter? What are the problems or pitfalls?

WHY LISTEN?

The right to participate

A common reason for advocating listening is that it is part and parcel of children's right to participation, one of the main themes of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: 'The child has the right to express his or her views in all matters affecting the child and the child's views shall be given their due weight' (Article 12).

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