By listening and encouraging dialogue within our programs, we can create a program that listens to its members and responds appropriately.
Rather than insisting that children all wear their jackets outside we listen to the child who insists they don’t need it (while we may need to balance it with the parent who wants their child to wear their jacket). We may take the jacket outside to offer to them when they start to look cold. We take the time to listen and respect the child’s perception of his or her need and find a solution that works. We demonstrate that that child’s voice is important and that we listened. In doing so we are working with principles of democracy where each person’s voice is honoured and heard.
Reference
Elliot, E. (2013). Listening with two ears: Caregivers listening deeply to babies and to self. In M. O'Loughlin (Ed.), The Uses of Psychoanalysis in Working with Children’s Emotional Lives (pp. pp. 47-67). Plymouth, UK: Jason Aronson.