Introduction to listening to young children: LYCS2

Press the ORDER NOW button to book your place on this one-day training course at the University of Reading on 26 March 2009. If you do not have access to a computer or you have problems with the registration please contact the Training team on 0207 843 6084 or email training@ncb.org.uk and we will register for you.

This course will also be held in February in Birmingham:

26 February 2009 - Birmingham

Overall aim

The aim of this course is to gain an understanding of how important it is to listen to young children and involve them in decisions that affect them.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of this course participants will

• understand the benefits of listening for children, practitioners, parents and early years services
• identify challenges to listening and ways of overcoming these
• explore the different ‘languages’ through which children communicate and ways in which they can help children to express their ideas, feelings and preferences
• reflect on their current practice and plan how to develop children’s involvement in the design, development and delivery of early years services

Who should attend?

This training is specifically geared towards early years practitioners working with birth to 5s. It is appropriate for professionals working with young children in nurseries, in local authority children’s centres or as childminders.

Programme for the day

9.00 Registration

9.30 Introductions

Outline of the course, expectations of the day, and working agreement

9.45 Why listen to young children

Considering the benefits to children, practitioners, parents and early years services

10.15 Where do you start from?

Reflection on current practice within your setting: what decisions are children involved in, what difficulties or challenges do you meet, what listening methods work well?

11.30 BREAK

11.45 Ways of listening

Exploring the different ‘languages’ through which children communicate and ways in which we can help them to express themselves

1.00 LUNCH

1.45 Communication game

Practising and reflecting on our listening skills

2.00 Possibilities for listening

Considering examples of what we might listen to children about and case studies of participation in practice

3.15 Next steps

Planning how you will develop your listening practice to support children's involvement in decisions that affect them

3.45 Feedback and Evaluation

4.00 Finish

Travel and venue information

Please see the University of Reading website for maps and detailed information how to travel to the venue.

Course facilitator: Judy Miller

Judy has over 30 years' experience of working with young children in local authority and community settings. Through listening to children and working with their perceptions and ideas, she has learnt how thoughtful and capable young children can be. It is this awareness that she aims to share through her freelance training and writing. Judy is the author of several books, including 'Never too young - how young children can take responsibility and make decisions'.

This course is run as part of the Young Children's Voices Network project based in the Early Childhood Unit, NCB.

Cancellation

All cancellations must be received in writing. In the event of a cancellation, a full refund will be given for one month's notice, a 50% refund for 1 month to 14 days notice and no refund for less than 14 days notice. Substitutions may be made at any time.

Which ticket should you buy?

Please choose the appropriate ticket type. You should check if your organisation has NCB membership, in which case you can apply for an NCB member's ticket.

As an NCB member or non-member, you should also register as coming from the statutory or the voluntary sector. To qualify as a voluntary sector organisation, you must be a registered charity. When you book, please have your registered charity number ready. This also applies to waiting list places.

If your ticket type is fully subscribed, please apply to the appropriate waiting-list.

Please find further information about NCB training and the NCB Early Childhood Unit