What do we mean by ‘Youth Voice’ in the early years

We don’t have a precise definition, but when we’re talking about youth voice in the early years we mean work and activities that does 1 or all of the following.  

• Centre’s children’s ‘voices’; 
• Allows children’s to influence the world around them; 
• Involves children and adults working together collaboratively.

It’s important to recognise that children’s ‘voices’ are expressed in many different ways – not just talking. For example it might be through physical movement or dance, body language or facial expressions, drawing or music or other art forms. We like how the poem ‘100 Languages’ by Loris Malaguzzi illustrates this.  

It’s important to emphasise that this work goes further than ‘just’ allowing children to give opinions or to be heard, but that they are able to change or influence things. And we think that in Youth Voice, especially with the under 5s it often involves children and adults working together. 

Instead of ‘Youth Voice’ you might use or hear other terms such as child voice, co-design, child centred, child choice or participation. Our Energiser Fund community prefers the word ‘co-creation’. 

What do you need to do Youth Voice?

We think that in order to approach this work you first need to value children and their voices. This means that you….

• Believe that young children are competent and able communicators, and that they are experts in their own lives. 
• Value what they have to say and the music and art that they create. 
• See young children as musicians and creatives in their own right. 
• Are prepared and open to learn from and with children.

What does it look like in practice?

Youth Voice with under 5s can happen in a huge variety of ways, and it will look different from child to child, from setting to setting and from day to day. 

A good starting point can be to consider what you already do that allows you to get to know and understand the children you work with. How do they show you what they like or don’t like? How do they express their feelings to you? How do you know what’s important to them? How do they show you their creativity and music? 

You might…

• Observe carefully how young children engage and be responsive to their reactions. 
• Spend time playing and exploring a space with them. 
• Use copying and mirroring to show you value their actions and ideas….
• Leave space for child-led and spontaneous activities. 
• Spend time creating and making music in partnership with children.  
• Use activities that give you a child’s perspective on an activity (what do things look like from a baby’s eye level…how does a toddler move around a space?)
• Provide choices and different ways for children to choose. 
• Take time to build trusted relationships with young children. 
• Use music and creative activities such as dance, drawing or photography to allow them to express their ‘voices’, and explore their feelings, views and wants. 
• Talk with other adults who know the children well, including parents and early years practitioners.
• Spend time reflecting with others on what you’re seeing, understanding and learning. 
• And more!

Getting started

Exploring Co-creation is a practical resource for practitioners and organisations. Designed as an accessible introduction, it offers a starting point for anyone wanting to better understand, listen to and create alongside young children.

Get inspired by the Energiser Fund

The Energiser Fund is supporting 11 organisations to deliver creative projects for under 5s that centre children’s voices, views and lived experience. The organisations are coming together in an learning community to explore co-creation and participation with young children.