Sharing their ideas with the world: The views and voices of young children

Following a report from the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child Monitoring Group in 2017 noting that in Aotearoa New Zealand children’s views were not being sought in matters regarding their school, play and feelings of safety, the Children’s Commissioner conducted research with school-aged children seeking their related perspectives. However, young children’s perspectives, those under 5 years old, have not been included in this research. Concurrently, this researcher sought to learn more about children of her new community having recently relocated to Aotearoa New Zealand. In response to these two circumstances this small-scale study presents the views and voices of 12 young children regarding when and how they learn, how they participate in their communities and their hopes for the future.