'Inclusion is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging'
Early Childhood Forum (2003)
The effects of inequality and disadvantage impact on many young children from the day they are born. Advances in neuroscience have increased our understanding of the long-term effects of repeated negative experiences on babies and young children in terms of learning and developing positive social relationships. The quality of early attachment and emotional learning can significantly influence a child's later resilience, identity and self-esteem.
We know that from birth, young children are learning to form mutually respectful relationships with adults and other children. They are learning to make choices about aspects of their identities and developing self-respect and feelings of self-worth. They are learning to understand themselves and the world around them and they are learning to think critically and in a balanced way.
Positive self-esteem has been shown by countless researchers to be a crucially important factor in successful learning. It is easy to see how children whose differences are perceived of as negative because of prejudice and discriminatory attitudes might suffer from poor selfimage and consequently low self-esteem.
Some practitioners respond instinctively, engage in quality interactions and have respect for babies. But others do not. One way of ensuring that babies and young children feel valued and are having their physical, emotional and cognitive needs met is by establishing a listening culture within the early years setting.
In order to listen effectively, adults need to acknowledge young children as capable communicators and tune in to the different ways they communicate. Listening adults will employ observation strategies and try to see the world from the child's perspective. They are able to interpret individual verbal and non-verbal communication and respond appropriately.
Having a key person approach within a setting is another useful strategy. The key person makes sure that, within the day-to-day demands of the setting, each child for whom they have special responsibility feels individual, cherished and thought about by someone in particular while they are away from home.
