Importance of Listening to Children free essay sample

Both the Children’s Act 2004 and Early Child Matters (ECM) recognize the fact that before any positive result is achieved, parents, practitioners and any adults in direct contact with the child need to always take into account the opinion of the child. (Lancaster 2006) By listening to children, it helps the adult, being parent, professionals or authority to make informed decision and this decision is very likely to work well for longer if the child feels that their voice have been heard. One of the most innovative aspects of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is its focus on children’s participation rights. It states that, children who are capable of forming a view should have the right to express that view freely in all matters affecting them. By allowing and encouraging this action, it will provide important feedback to the adult/ professionals and should reflect in the adult’s decision making (Kinney 2010). We will write a custom essay sample on Importance of Listening to Children or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Children that have been through some form of traumatic experience finds it therapeutic when they are listened to as this helps their self esteem and self efficacy now and in future. Kelly and Gilligan 2002) It is important to remember that it is not only when a child communicates verbally that adults or professionals have to listen, children can communicate in hundreds of ways e. g. drawing and painting, play, behaviour, emotions, etc (Roberts-Holmes 2005) It was in 1997, when the Labour Government was elected, they  acknowledged  that there were small voices of the children that were calling out for help due to the fact that they were not up to the level they should be in terms of their development by the time they reach the school age. The Government recognise that this issues can be tackled by providing access to Early years facilities which is why they had to invest by building children centres which provides the most convenient access to a different range of services for children and their families as well as improving access to the existing ones (Maynard and Thomas 2008, 121). In conclusion, Listening to children is highly important as it does not only respect their ights and dignity in accordance with the UN Convention, it shows children that they are being respected which in return helps to promotes their self-expression, development and it also provide important evidence for assessing the impact and values of service provided. In other words it allow the adult/ professionals to attend to their needs better (Kelly and Gilligan 2002). Early childhood policy and services. In: Maynard, T. and Thomas, N. An introduction to early childhood studies. London: Sage publications Ltd. p91-107. Kinney, L. (2006). Lets talk about listening to children: toward a shared understanding for early year education in Scotland. Available: http://www. ltscotland. org. uk/Images/listeningtochildren_tcm4-324433. pdf. Last accessed 09th Nov 2011. Lancaster, Y. Penny. (2006). Listening to young children: respecting the voice of a child. In: Pugh, G. and Duffy, B. Contemporary issues in early years. London: Sage publications Ltd. p63. Roberts-Holmes, G (2005). Doing your early year research project: a step-by-step guide. London: Sage publications. p126. Proof of Online Participation | Is it Really Important to Listen to Children by Omotunde Wasilat Alaba Oyefolu Friday, 30 September 2011, 01:48 PM| | I very much  believe that  it is very important to listen to children because without knowing what children think, how can they be cared for? How can we advocate for them to help them reach their full potential? By involving children, listening to what they have to say, this is the only way we can attain true improvement (Every Child Matters, 68). And who can do this but the people that are in constant contact with the child. Let us not forget that it is not only when a child communicates verbally that adults/ professionals have to listen. Children can communicate in hundreds of ways (Roberts-Holmes,126) drawing and painting, play, behaviour, emotions etc