Research digest

Researching the experiences of children and their carers

All abstracts are reproduced with the permission of the publishers.

Listening to and involving young children: A review of research and practice

Alison Clark

Early Child Development and Care, Routledge, part of Taylor and Francis Group, August 2005, Vol. 175, No. 6: 489–505

This paper sets out an international review of literature and practice concerning listening to and consulting with young children in early childhood institutions. Most of the existing literature on children's participation has focused on children over five years old; however, a small number of studies have been undertaken with young children. Beginning with an examination of understandings of listening, the paper describes methodologies for gathering young children's perspectives, including traditional research methods and participatory approaches. Key themes will be described which have emerged from studies undertaken to date. Illustrative case studies undertaken as part of the review are used to support the limited published material in this field. The paper raises issues for policy, research and practice concerning the implications of listening to young children.

Conducting research with young children: Some ethical considerations

Rosie Flewitt

Early Child Development and Care, Routledge, part of Taylor and Francis Group, August 2005, Vol. 175, No. 6: 553–65

The recent foundation of a ‘Young Children's Perspectives’ special interest group in the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA) reflects a general move in social research towards the respectful and inclusive involvement of children in the research process. However, established education research guidelines often provide no

more than a loose ethical framework, appearing to focus on avoiding poor ethical co