Early childhood is a time of increasing independence. While young children require adult comfort and support, they also need to test their limits. Some children have a strong interest in doing things themselves.
Educators can help children develop self-help skills and voice their opinions within a safe, secure and nurturing environment. Children can use agency to influence their own learning and the big issues in their world.
Children who want independence may also like these topics: age, growing up and being an adult.
What is children's agency?
Children's agency refers to their capacity to make choices, take actions, and influence their environment. The term is frequently used in early childhood education to emphasise the importance of children being active participants in their own lives.
Children have agency when they:
- choose, direct and negotiate their own play
- choose their own friends
- solve problems and interpersonal conflicts
- express preferences
- initiate conversations, tell stories and ask questions
- express themselves through art
- organise and personalise their own classroom.
UNCRC, NQS and EYLF
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults make decisions that affect them. Adults should seriously consider children's opinions.
The National Quality Standard requires childcare services to promote children's agency, "enabling them to make choices and decisions that influence events and their world" (1.2.3).
The Early Years Learning Framework views children as active participants and decision makers. They have the capacity to initiate and lead learning, and the right to participate in decisions that affect them.
The EYLF asks children to develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience and sense of agency (1.2).
Learning experiences
Stand up for the big issues
Empower children to stand up and make change regarding the big issues in their lives. Children may believe they can't make a difference because they are too young and lack power. Teach them this is not true. Children can use their agency to make a difference.
- Encourage children to voice their opinions and share their thoughts on issues they care about. Teach them to communicate effectively and advocate for themselves and others.
- Discuss the issues that affect children's lives and help them find accurate information about these topics.
- Teach children how to write letters and emails, ask questions, and express opinions.
- Teach children how to connect with friends who share their passions and concerns, and be active community members.
- Inspire children to make change by creating art, theatre or music to communicate their message.
- Encourage children to educate others about the issues they care about. Also, teach them to be respectful and listen to others, even if they have different opinions.
Learning environments
Consider how your learning environment supports children's independence and agency. Are children free to choose how and when they play? Are your play spaces inclusive for all children?
Let children move freely
- Can children move freely in different ways? Can they climb, crawl and hide? Can they move through the environment independently or do they need support or permission to access certain spaces?
- Are children physically restricted during art experiences because your smocks are too stiff?
Let children choose how to play
- Do your educators spend too long setting up adult-directed activities for children? Does this prevent children from accessing equipment independently?
- Provide open shelves with a diverse range of toys, materials, tools and technologies that children can access according to their changing interests.
- Allow children to take calculated risks and make mistakes in a safe environment.
- Provide spaces for large groups, small groups, and independent play.
- Is anything restricting children's play (e.g. unshaded outdoor spaces, educators' fear of dirt, cold or mess).
Interactions
- Give children responsibility. Ask them to help with small tasks (e.g. "can you help me carry these cups to the kitchen?")
- Frequently provide each child with positive and encouraging feedback. Celebrate children's individual achievements.
- Encourage children to challenge themselves, express their feelings and speak up if they see unfair or biased situations.
Routines
- Allow children to carry, put away, and access their own belongings.
- Encourage children to dress themselves.
- Teach children to apply sunscreen themselves and wear a hat.
- Teach independent handwashing and good hygiene practices from an early age.
- Develop children's skills involved with independent toileting, including dressing, undressing and handwashing.
- Provide age-appropriate opportunities for children to feed themselves, including finger foods and eating utensils. Allow children to access water themselves when they are thirsty.
- Encourage children of all ages to tidy up and be responsible for shared equipment and environments.
- Provide children with fun, playful and age-appropriate opportunities to clean toys and surfaces.