Engaging with young children's voices: implications for practitioners' pedagogical practice. Issue 7 (3rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaw, Patricia A.
• Is Part Of: Education 3-13. Volume 47:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 806
• Page End: 818
• Publication Date: 2019-10-03
• Subjects: Early childhood education -- child voice -- pedagogy -- professional development -- teacher education -- inclusion; Education -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Education, Primary -- Periodicals; Education, Elementary -- Periodicals; 372.942
• DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2019.1622496
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-4279

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The paper seeks to extend the knowledge and understanding of how engaging with young children's voices in a meaningful way, can alter practitioners' pedagogical practice and thus create environments for learning that are more inclusive. It draws on the findings of a research study that explored practitioners' (teachers, nursery nurses and teaching assistants) views about engaging with young children's voices of perceived notions of inclusion in pedagogical activities in the early years classes of two schools in the North of England. It adopted a qualitative methodological approach that operates within constructivist and interpretivist paradigms. The study revealed that practitioners retain some resistance to responding to the voices of young children and that internal and external pressures influence their decision-making. Moreover, it signifies the necessity for greater emphasis on the importance of engaging with children's voices in the training of newly qualified teachers, and the ongoing professional development for all practitioners in early childhood education.