Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Listening to Children

    Posted 05-26-2021 02:02 PM
    "Children should be seen not heard"  is a phrase I don't appreciate. Especially in todays world, children witness and are curious about a lot.  How are children suppose to grow, learn and better themselves without asking questions? Lets put an end to the negative phrases and ideas that children are not people.  Children are exactly that; PEOPLE.  It may take a village to raise a child and keep a child safe, but to teach a child; it starts with one.  Someone, somewhere needs to break the cycle and spread the word that children and their voices matters.  ( Remember, THEY are OUR future, and as role models, adults and those with wisdom, we should share the right information so that they can grow to be smart, respectful and positive additions to society).

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    Elaine Marcelle
    Borough of Manhattan Community College Early Childhood Center
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  • 2.  RE: Listening to Children

    Posted 05-27-2021 02:11 AM
    Hi Elaine,

    Your voices are strong!

    We definitely need to advocate for "children's voices". Children's voices are matter both in and outside of the center. They expect to be treated in a more respectful way, and they are willing to contribute their strength and make a difference with their competency and confidence. They not only want to know what will happen but also why. We as educators need to think about how we can create a more inclusive environment to promote children's independence, their self-motivation and interdependence. The environment where children can have more opportunities to voice for themselves, their rights to be engaged as "researchers" and "co-inquiries" in the learning environment, and to have more conversations about their progress and achievements. Children's voices matter, cause it's the fundamental to their realization of their citizenship in the community.  

    Carin

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    Carin Chen
    University of Melbourne
    Zhangjiagang, Suzhou
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  • 3.  RE: Listening to Children

    Posted 05-28-2021 12:01 AM
    I am sure most people remember the story of The Emperor's New Clothes...I created a song from it with this exact message...listen to the children...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuluAUsGK3g

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    Joanie Calem
    Music and Inclusion Specialist
    Sing Along
    Columbus, OH
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  • 4.  RE: Listening to Children

    Posted 05-29-2021 02:53 PM
    Hi Joanie cute song. Yes one thing for sure your right children are honest and funny this is one of the reason why. I like working with them. You are so creative.





  • 5.  RE: Listening to Children

    Posted 05-29-2021 11:51 PM
    I know Morilyn, that is why I love working with kids as well.  They are honest and direct and call out what they see.  Traits that I wish more adults kept!

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    Joanie Calem
    Music and Inclusion Specialist
    Sing Along
    Columbus, OH
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  • 6.  RE: Listening to Children

    Posted 05-30-2021 09:05 PM
    Children are to be listened to from time to time . It is very important for them to share their thought with teacher's, friends, and even their parents. Allow the children to share their view and speak out what is in their mind. As part of the activities in the classroom, allow the children to share what happened over the weekends or what fun activity they took part in. Children are very inquisitive, so they like to know how , why , and what happened in every situations. It the responsibility of the adult to give appropriate response. When children have the trust in an adult that he or she will answer their question or be considerate with their thought , they tend to open up more and if otherwise, they shut down, and this will not be good for their learning.

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    Doris Lawson
    Saint Paul MN
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  • 7.  RE: Listening to Children

    Posted 05-31-2021 11:58 PM
    I totally agree, listening to children is very important and there are so many different ways of doing that. One by sitting down with them and talking with them and not to them, allowing them to express themselves through their writing as well as their drawings. Children are very creative as educators we have to learn to allow them to express them through their creativity. We will all learn a lot from children if we just LISTEN! I love this topic.

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    Juanita Colbert
    Washington DC
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