The importance of ongoing training for childcare providers
In early education, we talk a lot about what children need to learn, but we rarely stop to think about what they have to say. Even from the earliest years, children have their own thoughts, emotions, preferences, and ways of seeing the world. Listen to the child’s voice. It doesn’t just mean hearing his words, but giving value to their ideas, emotions, and choices.
What does “the voice of the child” mean?
The child’s voice is their unique way of communicating and actively participating in their environment. Sometimes they do this with words, but many other times they do it through play, drawing, gestures, glances, and even silence. Listening to children means observing carefully, asking respectful questions, and providing them with safe spaces where they feel seen and valued.
Why is it important?
When children feel their voice is heard:
✓ Increase yourself-esteem and sense of belonging
✓ Improve yourdecision-making abilityand resolve conflicts
✓ They develop more thinkingcritical and independent
✓ It strengthens therelationship with the adultbased on trust and respect
✓ Listening to the child is also a way to promoteequity and inclusion, as it teaches them that their opinion counts, regardless of their age, language or personality.
How can we do this in practice?
Here are some simple examples that we can apply in the classroom or in kindergarten:
🗯️ Ask open-ended questions: “What would you like to do today?” “How do you think we could solve that?”
🎨 Give real options: “Do you prefer to use crayons or paint?”, “Do you want to read or have me read to you?”
👀 Carefully observe their games, choices, and emotions
🤝 Create moments of authentic dialogue, where you know your opinion will not be corrected, but valued.
📋 Incorporate their ideas into your daily routine (how to choose songs, stories, materials)
Listening is educating with the heart
When we give space to the child’s voice, we are not only teaching skills; we are building a more respectful, fair, and empathetic world from childhood. The children who are listened to today will be the adults who know how to listen, dialogue, and build tomorrow.
Contribution by Carmen Hernandez – Registered Community Coach and Child Development Advocate
