Empowering children to express themselves: to understand what equality and inclusiveness mean and to learn about the use of power and being part of a community in the widest sense, is essential for the well-being of our global community.
I’ve enjoyed many visits to pre-schools where these values are evident. In one school in Gothenburg, Sweden, the children develop a sense of community and democratic decision making.
We enter a well-organised art room, stocked with paints, paper and collage materials, stored in glass containers. The children are alone. This is something we would never allow in the UK. In Sweden, I have seen this many times. Maria tells me “we trust them, we don’t feel stressed about them at all, we believe that children are inherently good and want to learn and they care for each other. They work for substantial periods without adult intervention– say 20 minutes.”
In this recording, Maria who works in a team of three with children ages 4 and 5 years speaks about the children’s independent use of the art room (rules, democracy, freedom and power)
Democracy and freedom come together, she told me, “The children have clear rules and these rules are changeable, they understand this”
Power and conflict
The teachers tell me it’s important for the children to know from an early age how they can affect the whole group. They learn about the use of their personal power and have conversations about what actions they choose.
They learn that everyone’s needs matter and solve social problems together as a group.
I ask about the conflicts that arise. They tell me: “We can be in rooms alone and we trust children to do the same. The conflicts that occur in the art area maybe that the room might be untidy, or there is paint on the walls, this is ok, they quickly learn that we all clean this together.”
The conflicts outside may be more physical and can be problematic.
Children learn it’s not acceptable to use language that provokes another to protect themselves.
It’ s not acceptable to play games where someone is underneath or on top.
Making decisions together
Each week the children meet to discuss questions, rules and concerns. One child chair’s the meeting (this child is only 4 years old!) he/she will record the question raised and the decisions made. The children express themselves freely, they share what matters to each of them and listen carefully to each other.
All children vote on decisions using their name on lego pieces. They build towers with the bricks. This makes it easy for them to see where the most votes are. Maria tells me that most often, the children are able to do this completely alone.
This week the issue they voted on was about being able to bring toys from home to pre-school. They voted to change the current rule and the next day, they bought their toys in. This was interesting, said Maria, because many of them bought toys that made a sound and they found the noise very loud.
They discuss the problem and agree to turn the volumes down or remove the batteries.
Concerns, questions and decisions happen at these meetings. I saw the notes.
These included :
It’s too crowded in here at registration
Some people don’t flush the chain in the toilet
Why don’t we have pizza for lunch?
Maria explained the process the children followed in each case and the extensive work that was undertaken to resolve issues that concern them.
Involving the children in everyday decision making to solve problems about what meets their needs is a natural process. All children have an opportunity to chair the meetings, to participate in discussions and learn about decisions that affect everyone. They know that what they think and what everyone else thinks matters. They read the minutes of the meeting, learn to vote and most importantly begin to understand how power can be used effectively with care. These skills will stay with them forever I’m sure.
Parent partnership
The parents chat with teachers every day. They take a look at the live stream computer platform, throughout the day. This is where the children’s pictures, projects and displays are uploaded. The learning environment is for everyone to share and everyone to contribute. Attainment is logged seamlessly.
Working together, sharing stories, making decisions, understanding differences and commonalities, celebrating and learning together builds community. Education is the most powerful medium for change in this world. Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see – Neil Postman
Hi Tracy
How are you and the family?
This is great, really informative and interesting it reminds us that what makes us unique is the difference we can make to each other.
Antoinette
From Bromley
Thank you Antoinette I’m happy you found the blog interesting and informative. I hope all is well with you )
Nice Blog, Thanks For Sharing
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