Young Children's Voices Network
Young Children's Voices Network
| Developing a Listening Culture - For all those working with and for young children aged birth to five Young children, practitioners (all those working directly with young children) and parents have experiences and views to share that can help shape the way in which services are planned and delivered. Early years settings that have a listening culture enable these experiences and views to inform day-to-day practice; develop the quality and sustainability of settings; enhance local authorities’ ability to respond to community needs; and, ultimately, improve outcomes for children |
| Leadership for Listening - The aim of this leaflet is to inspire and support early years practitioners in developing a culture of listening in their settings through effective leadership |
| Listening to Babies - By their very nature babies demand constant attention. This starts even before they are born. Mothers develop a bond with their baby over their nine-month period together and this is where communication begins. Medical staff monitor the growth of babies and listen to them in the womb. Babies’ actions are felt by their mothers and sometimes can be seen by those around when they stretch, turn or kick. Affectionate comments such as, ‘Baby’s going to be a footballer!’, ‘I think baby’s dancing in there!’ show that their early actions are being observed and thought about. Adults’ responses to children vary enormously. Many respond instinctively towards babies, engage in quality interactions with them and have respect for babies, believing that they have a right to be listened to. But others do not |
| Why and how we listen to young children leaflet |
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