Have you ever heard the term “agency”? Agency is our ability to have control over things that happen in our lives. For young children, having a sense of agency means that they FEEL like they have control over the things that happen in their lives.
Sometimes our best intentions as adults actually interfere with a child’s sense of agency- doing things for children that they can absolutely do for themselves with limited to no assistance. This interference can affect a child’s self-confidence, limiting their growth potential.
Offering children choices is one way we can nurture a child’s sense of agency. Teachers often offer “low risk” choices, such as “Which book would you like” or “Do you want an apple or a banana”. Supporting a child’s agency is not as simple as providing opportunities for children to choose between two options selected by adults.
When we recognize children’s agency, we acknowledge their power — their rights to exercise some control over their daily lives and make decisions in areas that impact them. As educators, deciding how much power and what kind of power to support can be challenging.
Young children need trusted adults to guide, support, and teach them- they don’t always have the experience to make wise decisions. It’s up to us, as early childhood professionals, to know when to support child-led decision making and when to step in and decide on their behalf.
Too many or too few choices, along with too much or too little guidance, can be overwhelming for all involved in this process. As early childhood educators, we need to understand how to support children’s sense of agency by providing them with the dignity they deserve.
Being a reflective practitioner, a teacher who thinks about the work they do, is an essential tool in your growth. Below are a few reflection questions to help you dig deeper into this topic:
What are some examples of low-stakes, no-risk choices that you offer the children in your care?
What are some examples of more serious choices that children have in your learning environment?
Can you think of examples where a child’s choice has been challenging for you?
What is an example of you giving a child too many choices?
How do you find a balance between too few and too many choices?
