Including children’s voices in early childhood education and care (ECEC)
About:
Malta’s ECEC National Policy Framework was influenced by a consultation process with stakeholders involved in the ECEC field. A working committee of various stakeholders was set up. Working committee members involved in the drafting of this policy ensured that the voices of the young children were reflected.
Meetings and discussions were held among stakeholders to establish a shared understanding of quality ECEC and to determine the way forward for the future of ECEC in Malta. Children’s voices were sought through shared reading sessions and discussions in their classroom environment. The children were between three and seven years old, attending state, church and independent schools.
The working committee representatives spent about one hour in each classroom for the shared reading session and discussion/drawing. They shared a story with 15–20 children from each year group (Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2, Year 1 and Year 2). The main themes of the story had relevance to the children and related to the main goals of the policy. After hearing this story, the adults asked the children questions. The children were given time to answer and to draw pictures to illustrate their answers.
Outcomes:
The children’s voices (through the pictures they drew and even direct quotes) were included in the policy document. The meetings had a critical influence on the members of the working committee as they became more aware that the children’s voices needed to be central when the issues being discussed directly concern the children’s welfare, education and rights. Ultimately, the learners’ voices influenced the working committee’s policy draft.
Key element(s) of the VIA Framework:
This is an example of both SPACE and INFLUENCE. It is uncommon for learners as young as three years old to be given the opportunity to express themselves to high-level decision-makers, particularly in a way that makes sense to them (i.e. through stories and drawing). Furthermore, the children’s voices were directly included in the National Policy Framework.