Glen Education Caulfield Primary 

Respect for children.

By Glen Caulfield Primary Educational Team

As educators, we use a variety of ways to document the voice of children. We value the various “tools” we use to ensure that every child “is heard”. This includes our own direct observations, discussion with each other as a team, reflection books - where children are encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas and discussion with families as they advocate for their child regarding their needs and requirements. These are just a few of the various ways the voices of children at Glen Caulfield Primary are continuously and consistently documented … 

It is vital that children have a voice to project their thoughts, ideas and needs.  We use documented observations (children’s voice) to enhance and add to an activity that has been either intentional or spontaneous, encourage children to engage in the “set up” of the learning environment and explore, to think about and discuss with educators what they would like to see and do.  

Great examples include:

• Visual arts including different coloured paper and sizes, preferred drawing materials and colours they like to use.
• Children brought insects from home, which lead to an insect table being set up by the children
• Community walks which enable children to discuss and provoke experiences i.e. emergency vehicles passing by and why “lights and crossings” are needed.
• Parents who have come to share what “they do” at work (thank you Lily and Petera!) after their children articulated what they do.   

This enriches the program by displaying children’s continual engagement and curiosity about the world around them

Children are actively expressing themselves continuously regarding what they understand about their evolving world around them.  They bring books from home to read, send photos from holidays and show educators, discuss their art, how they write numbers and letters and how they “now” can self -help (dressing, eating, resting, hygiene) for themselves.  

The educational team at Glen Caulfield Primary Kindergarten always “stop, look and listen" to each child. This adds to the program and stimulates active participation.

How would you use the child friendly version (see attached) to involve children in a conversation about their rights?

The importance of children being “heard” as they become a global citizen and maturate to adulthood is so important. By offering agency, an adult listening ear, rich learning environments and opportunities to express thoughts, ideas and needs, we are encouraging them to participate, be mindful and feel valued and wanted in their world.

As Educators we involve children about their rights through conversation.   Some thoughts from the team:

“Ask them… What do you feel, think? – use open ended questions to promote an answer”

“Encourage children to help /think about their physical environment and what they want to see and use”

“Discuss in group settings about advocacy and why it is important”

“Discuss where your family has come from. What do you celebrate? What important things does your family teach you? “

“Encourage children to express their evolving thoughts and ideas”