Examines the issue of the rights of young children, starting with the question of how the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to the youngest children, from birth to eight years of age. This work discusses the question of finding a balance between young children's rights to protection, provision and participation.

Priscilla Alderson examines the often overlooked issue of the rights of young children, starting with the question of how the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to the youngest children, from birth to eight years of age. The question of finding a balance between young children's rights to protection, to provision (resources and services) and to participation (expressing their views, being responsible) is discussed. The author suggests that, in the belief we are looking after their best interests, we have become overprotective of children and deny them the freedom to be expressive, creative and active, and that improving the way adults and children communicate is the best way of redressing that balance.This second edition has been updated and expanded to include the relevance of UNCRC rights of premature babies, international examples such as the Chinese one-child policy, children's influence on regional policies, and the influence on young children's lives of policies such as Every Child Matters and those of the World Bank, IMF, OECD and UNICEF.This readable, informative and thought-provoking book is a compelling invitation to rethink our attitudes to young children's rights in the light of new theories, research and practical evidence about children's daily lives. It will be of interest to anyone who works with young children.This series concentrates on the theme of children's rights, reflecting the increasing knowledge in the area. The perspectives of empowerment and of 'voice' run through the series and the United Nations' Convention of the Right of the Child is used as a benchmark. Series editor Mary John is a developmental psychologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Exeter. She has worked in the field of disability rehabilitation and independent living and has researched with minority rights groups.

Editor:

Mary John

Contributor:

Save the Children

Publisher:

Jessica Kingsley Publishers

ISBN:

9781843105992

Publication date:

March 2008

Length:

234mm

Width:

156mm

Thickness:

15mm

Weight:

367g

Edition:

2nd Revised edition

Pages:

240

Illustrations:

Illustrations

Illustrated:

Illustrated

'There is much to be commended in Alderson's book,... It is written with clarity and passion and adopts a child-centred perspective, and most of Alderson's points are well backed up with appropriate, illustrative, research and practice examples....' - Child Abuse Review Vol. 11: 124-132 (2002) 'This book will prove invaluable to any who are involved in research or professional practice with children. It is also carefully and quietly making 'child-citizens' thinkable. A final commendation is that it takes the 'tough' cases of young children and babies as its primary focus and still makes a very reasonable and compelling case for their abilities to participate in decision-making.' - Infant and Child Development 'This is a highly accessible book that is a useful contribution to the debate about the children's rights and citizenship. It will provide a stimulating and thought-provoking read for anyone who works with (or is a parent of) young children and, despite the fact that she did not win over this reader entirely, Alderson has given fresh impetus to the need to continually rethink our attitude to children's rights'. - International Journal of Early Years Education 'This book does more than simply present an argument for greater consultation of children by the adults who care for them. It gives practical suggestions as to different approaches adults can take to consulting with young children and also includes some brief case studies of good practice. These highlight the case that we all too often underestimate the potential children have to act as socially responsible citizens, whether through a genuine lack of understanding of what children are capable of, or through an anxiety about a loss of control.' - International Journal of Early Years Education 'The book contains a lot of common sense and explores events that occur every day in our schools as well as issues I have not yet had to deal with. She stresses that we need to teach children that sometimes they have a choice, but at other times there is no choice. Her argument is that if children can choose on occasions, it is then easier to accept that sometimes they can't. She offers arguments both for and against young children being consulted in matters which affect them. The book gives clear suggestions of how to deal with possible barriers put up by adults who feel they should be the decision makers. All this provides interesting reading and the basis for a good discussion. It made me think about the school councils I have sat on: very thought provoking...Young Children's Rights gives us a chance to rethink our attitudes to young children's rights in the light of new theories, research and practical evidence. - Professionalism in Practice 'This book will prove invaluable to any who are involved in research for professional practice with children. It is also carefully and quietly making 'child-citizens' thinkable. A final commendation is that it takes the 'tough' cases of young children and babies as its primary focus and still makes a very reasonable and compelling case for their abilities to participate in decision-making. - Infant & Child Development 'Strange that almost ten years on from the UK ratification from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) this book, commissioned by Save the Children, should strike such a powerful and challenging note. Two main reasons, As Priscilla Alderson makes clear, is that it deals mainly with 'participation' rights, rather than 'protection' or 'provision' rights (in the commonly used '3 Ps' grouping of CRC articles) and that it is concerned with children under eight, including babies and children with learning disabilities... Young children's rights is highly readable, drawing on the authors important research experience in this field as well as being 'a practical collection of ideas and examples'... Alderson explores the benefits and perceived disadvantages. for young children and adults of consulting and involving them, and confirms that in the end it is an issue of power sharing... Overall this book makes a most valuable as well as enjoyable contribution to the understanding and promotion of young children's participation rights.' - Young Minds magazine 'This thought-provoking book addresses the practical issues of the rights of children. Priscilla Alderson considers how children's views, ideas and perspectives can be encouraged and the possible blocks that adults find to avoid even trying to consult with younger citizens. The author points out that 'giving children a voice' as a popular slogan but children already have voices; the adult task is to listen.' - Nursery World 'Each chapter is richly illustrated with case studies drawn from research into and practical experience of helping children to participate in decision-making. Though she is careful to point out that the book is not a how-to of children's rights, Alderson takes us step-by-step through the objections to the notion of children's rights that we may have, through answers to those objections and through methods of involving and consulting children in decision-making. One of the most appealing features of the book is that Alderson consistently acknowledges that practicing children's rights is likely to pose emotional challenges for adults whether they think of themselves as pro or anti-children's rights. She makes the grounds and nature of these often-inarticulate qualms clear, and is equally clear that children should not have to bear the burden of problems that adults have with their adulthood. This book will prove invaluable to any who are involved in research or professional practice with children. It is also carefully and quietly making child-citizens thinkable. A final commendation is that it takes the tough cases of young children and babies as its primary focus and still makes a very reasonable and compelling case for their abilities to participate in decision-making.' - Infant and Child Development 'It is a joy to read such a book, which puts into words dearly held principles that are rarely clearly expressed. Alderson discusses the importance of treating young children as individuals and as holders of rights. Professionals working with children in family proceedings struggle to articulate the issues debated here in the course of daily work, in reports, in explaining our role to children and parents and in fighting the child's corner in negotiations, both in and out of court... Practitioners who work regularly with children will find this book helpful. It articulates the issues and the importance of treating all children with respect, as holders of views, which should be taken seriously... The creativity and good sense of children's solutions to problems affecting them are illustrated in a way that is helpful and illuminating. It contributes to the canon of work illustrating why consulting with children is so important in reaching good solutions for them.' - Seen and Heard