Look Who's Talking: Dilemmas of Practice When Eliciting the Voices of Young Children

• In Event: 79.043 - Critical Early Childhood Policy and Practice Issues

Abstract

To foster in children and young people the skills, dispositions and understanding that underpin a voice agenda, practices need to be developed that support this from the earliest age. This paper explores issues relating to this complex, challenging and under-researched area from the perspective of practitioners working with children aged from birth to eight. Using vignettes of practice submitted by practitioners and researchers, we explore the ethical and pedagogical dilemmas they experience as they seek to elicit voice. Particular attention is given to how the perspectives of children’s non-verbal voice are elicited. Additionally, we will explore the extent to which, and how, the ethical and pedagogical issues that arise in educational practice differ according to varying contexts.

Authors

• Kate Wall, University of Strathclyde

• Lorna Jane Arnott, University of Strathclyde

• Mhairi Catherine Beaton, Leeds Beckett University (nee Leeds Metropolitan University)

• Claire Cassidy, University of Strathclyde

• Elaine Hall, Legal Education and Professional Skills

• Carol Robinson, Brighton University