Glen Education St Patrick's

The importance of the child’s voice when planning for children’s learning.

By Liz and Yuli, Early Childhood Educators

The child’s voice is important when planning for children’s learning in a kindergarten setting. 

It promotes self-esteem and self-worth in children, giving them a sense of belonging and helping them to be happy and successful in their learning. It also fosters creativity and critical thinking, giving children a voice in their learning which encourages them to make decisions, solve problems, and explore new ideas, which are essential skills for their future development. 

This approach to children’s learning aligns with the best practices in early childhood education. As well as respecting children’s rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child. Some examples of learning driven by the children, which have been demonstrated at our service:

The story “How to Catch a Star” is an imaginative story that captured the children’s interest. The children showed their eagerness to discuss various imaginative ways to catch a star. 

Following the reading, we held a discussion where children shared their existing knowledge and thoughts about the story. 

By listening to their thoughts and incorporating their suggestions into the activity, we reinforced the value of their voices. This not only enhanced their engagement with the story but also encouraged them to think critically and creatively.  

The children’s exploration of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games began with a simple yet engaging question during group time:

“What special event is coming up?" 

This question sparked an enthusiastic discussion amongst the children. The children's learning experience led to hands on activities creating flags from around the world, Olympic torches and drawing pictures of various Olympic sports. 

This project provided a meaningful connection to the Olympics and to appreciate the spirit of competition. The activities also helped the children to explore their world with curiosity and confidence. The idea of the Olympics as a celebration and what the meaning of the Olympics was also discussed.