Opinion: A focus on children's rights and strengths serves them best

Abstract

The EYLF, the National Quality Framework and ECA's own Code of Ethics all position children as active agents in their learning and base high-quality pedagogy on individual strengths and rights. Such an approach has been used in community work for decades, and it resonates strongly with what we understand to be high-quality practice in early childhood. An approach based on strengths and rights arises from our commitment, as early childhood professionals, to ensure that children's rights are met. The focus is not on what children do or don't do, or what they lack, but rather on what we as professionals will do to ensure children's rights are met and to use their current strengths to do so.