We believe that babies, children and young people should be placed at the heart of music, creativity and creative projects. Early Years work should listen to, respond to and be shaped and driven by the children we work with. But what does this mean for babies and toddlers? 

We know the term ‘Youth Voice’ feels disconnected from the work we do with our youngest children; the language is targeted at older age groups, doesn’t connect to the ways young children communicate and existing youth voice resources don't match our practice. Which is why we've created this resource hub - to offer some ways-in to doing ‘Youth Voice’ in the early years. 

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 to influence the world around them; 
  • Involves children and adults working together collaboratively.

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

Going further than just being heard or able to express an opinion, it should support babies and toddlers to influence and change things. And we recognise that it often involves adults and children collaborating. 

More than just 'voice'
We should 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 captures this.

 

The child has

a hundred languages

a hundred hands

a hundred thoughts

a hundred ways of thinking

of playing, of speaking.
No way. The hundred is there
Loris Malaguzzi (translated by Lella Gandini)

What do you need to do Youth Voice?

A first step is recognising and valuing children's voices. This means that we….

  • 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. 

First steps
Start by thinking 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? 

 


Finding out more......

  • 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 to choose. 
  • Take time to build trusted relationships with young children and their families. 
  • 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. 

What else are you already doing?  What else could you explore? 

 

The Premier Academy - Improving the quality and sustainability of music making activities in early years settings across

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.

Visit our Exploring Co-creation resource

Youth Music Early Years Quality Framework

Though not solely focused on ‘voice’ our quality framework contains a recommended set of criteria to promote high quality inclusive music-making sessions. 

Download Youth Music Early Years Quality Framework (PDF)
Download Youth Music Early Years Quality Framework (Word)

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. Explore the Energiser learning and research. 

resources

Energiser Fund Learning and Research

The Energiser Fund supports creative practice with 2–4-year-olds, exploring what we learn when we centre young children’s voices through co-creation.

an early years child with a blue apron on playing with paints with a project leader joining in
news

Meet the 11 recipients of the Energiser Fund

Meet the organisations showing how to centre children's voices, views and lived experience of early years children.

Read more
A young child playing with an electric xylophone
resources

Exploring Co-creation: A Resource for Anyone Working with Young Children

A practical resource exploring co-creation with young children, offering research, ethical guidance and creative approaches for early years practitioners.