Children's rights-based approaches: the challenges of listening to taboo/discriminatory issues and moving beyond children's participation

Abstract

Young children's active participation is high on the UK's political, research and policy agendas; at least in rhetoric. However, critiques have emerged regarding the extent to which this rhetoric has been translated into practice and whether participatory rights are linked to the implementation of other human rights. Drawing on an ethnographic research study in an early childhood setting in Scotland, this paper critically reflects on children's rights-based approaches and processes of children's active participation in early childhood settings. The paper stresses that rights are interconnected and highlights the importance of ensuring that all children's human rights are respected, promoted and implemented.