Child Participation: giving children a voice

What is Child Participation?

At Basker International Childcare, child participation is a normal, everyday part of what we do. It means actively involving children in choices and activities that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. We give children the opportunity to express their opinions, help them learn to listen to others, and encourage them to make their own decisions. Even from a young age, children have valuable input and surprising ideas.

Child Participation begins when we follow their natural curiosity. For example, we might ask: “Which game would you like to play today?” If a child finds it difficult to choose, our pedagogic professionals are there to guide them. For us, Child Participation means that every child feels seen and heard, with a real say and a sense of freedom to choose. 

Why is Child Participation important?

Child Participation in childcare has many benefits. Here are just a few:

• When children realise that their opinions matters, they feel seen and heard. This creates a safe, welcoming atmosphere where they feel comfortable and included.
• They take more initiative, they’re quicker to come up with fun ideas because they know they will be taken seriously.
• Involving children in choices and activities boosts their confidence and helps them develop a positive self-image.
• It helps children understand that they are part of a group, and of society as a whole. They learn to listen to themselves and to others, to make decisions, and to take responsibility. This helps them grow into engaged, independent individuals.
• Through participation, children get to know themselves better: what they enjoy and what they’re good at.
• It also becomes easier for them to play with different friends, because they practise speaking in or to a group. They learn to plan, take others into account, and express their opinions..

Basker Children’s Council

At some of our After School Care locations, we host extra Child Participation activities, such as the Children’s Council. This council is made up of several children who meet from time to time to share their ideas and wishes. It’s always great fun! Next to this, we have introduced a Basker Child Mayor: a child in After School Care who plays a more public role in representing the children at Basker. This is of course an informal role, but a meaningful one nevertheless.

During the council meetings, we might set new group rules or come up with exciting activities together, such as Mud Day. We also discuss what’s going well at the BSO and what could be improved. Children even help decide how to decorate the space, choosing furniture, decorating walls, or rearranging play corners.

By giving children a voice at Basker International, our location managers and pedagogic professionals gain valuable insight into what’s going on in the children’s minds.

Child Participation in Day Care

Older children can already express their opinions quite well, but did you know that even our youngest children are involved in making decisions? When it’s time to eat, we let them choose between different options. They can also help decide what clothes to wear or what to play with.

Helping out is another form of participation. For example, older toddlers might help set the table with plates and cups when it’s time for lunch. Every day, we create a space where children feel heard, valued, and free to develop at their own pace, a world that encourages growth and independence.

Tips for at home

Would you like to encourage your child to think along and make their own choices at home too? These tips might help!

• Let your child choose what’s for dinner every Thursday evening.
• Let them decide which route to take when you go for a walk.
• Involve them in tidying up or setting the table.
• Encourage them to pack their own bag.
• Perhaps they’d enjoy doing a small shop on their own, a little bit of independence can go a long way!

Want to know more?

Everything we do at Basker starts with our vision on childcare and child development. We’d be happy to tell you more, for example, during a guided tour.

Check our Pedagogic PolicyBook a tour