Glen Education Murrumbeena

What Does Empowering Children Look Like

Paula Sanders, Early childhood Educator

Beena Agrawal, Early childhood Educator

Child Safe Standard 3- Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

What does empowering children mean?

The word empowerment as described in the Oxford dictionary refers to it being “the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights”.

In terms of settings such as early years education, empowerment means providing opportunities for young children to flourish and work towards reaching their potential. Children who regularly engage in empowerment experiences will develop a belief in their own capabilities and gain greater self-confidence to seek assistance when they need it.

Regarding the child safe standards and safeguarding, the principle of empowerment means that young children feel supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent. It is important to listen to children and take their concerns or ideas seriously, especially when dealing with issues that directly affect them such as their safety. When children are empowered, they feel their contributions are valued and are more likely to speak up if they are threatened or feel unsafe.

To ensure that children develop that sense of empowerment we support them and build their confidence in many ways at kindergarten.

Children are involved in decision making:

Children have choice in the play and learning experiences they engage in.
Children choose to play indoors or outdoors.
Children have progressive eating times which allows them to eat when they need feel the need.
Children can choose where and who they want to sit with during eating times.
Children regularly engage in discussions about what interests they have and what activities they would like included in the program.

Educators create an environment of trust and inclusion of all children:

Children are involved in discussions about what makes them feel safe and unsafe.
Children’s opinions are valued and respected.
Children are engaged in the Resilience Project activities which provides opportunities for them to explore their feelings, emotions, practise gratitude and mindfulness.
Children learn the importance of friendships and support from peers is encouraged to help them feel safe and a sense of belonging.
Educators explain the reasons why we do things to assist children in their understanding.

Give children responsibilities:

Children are encouraged to help pack up learning areas after playing.
Children have access to brushes, pans, small brooms to help keep the areas clean.
Children are encouraged to carry their bags, keep their locker tidy and pack their own bags during the day.
Children assist with keeping our outdoor area tidy.
Children are encouraged to be sustainable with recycling.

Celebrate children’s accomplishments:

Children have their work displayed in the room.
Children share their work with others
Photos of children’s play experiences are displayed for others to see.
Newsletters go out to families that reflect on what children have been learning in the program.
Educators keep learning portfolios of each child documenting their learning throughout the year.

Children learn to take risks with their learning

Children are encouraged to take risks with their learning, both in the indoor and outdoor environments.
Children learn that it is ok to make mistakes, as we learn from mistakes and that helps build resilience.
Children are encouraged to participate in the Playball program which develops their confidence to take risks with their physical skills and movement.

As our organisation prepares for the new Child safe standards to be introduced on 1st July, 2022, we will continue to build on the existing child safe strategies, policies and practices to strengthen the culture of child safety and protect the children in our care. Educators will continue to support children develop a sense of empowerment as they have a right to feel safe and be safe.