Empowering children: the importance of autonomy and agency
Marcus Adams
Creating a world where all children thrive ? Disrupting how we support children's wellbeing ? Empowering leaders to transform their approach, standing for what’s possible in every interaction.
As adults, we often feel responsible for making decisions on behalf of children.
We believe that we know what is best for them!
We have a desire to protect them from any harm that might be out there in the world.
While this impulse is both natural and understandable, it is important to remember that children also have their own wishes, wants, dreams, desires and ideas.
There are a number of benefits of giving children autonomy and agency in their lives can for both their overall development and their wellbeing.
Autonomy can be defined as "freedom from external control or influence; independence". It refers to us having the freedom to choose what we do and how we do it.
Agency, on the other hand, refers to our power to act in the world. It means having the ability to make a difference, to take action and to influence our environment.
Autonomy and agency are two closely related concepts and both are important for children's growth and development.
One of the important benefits of giving children autonomy and agency is that it can support them to develop a sense of self-efficacy.
When children are able to make choices and take action, they are able to learn that their decisions and actions have real consequences.
They can develop a sense of control over their lives, which can be powerful in overcoming any internalised responses to trauma or adversity, such as stress and anxiety.
On top of this, giving children autonomy and agency can help them to develop important skills like problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making.
When children are allowed to make choices, they learn to weigh options, consider consequences and make informed decisions.
These skills will serve them well throughout their lives.
Another benefit of giving children autonomy and agency is that it can help develop and unlock their inner creativity and innovation.
When children are free to explore their own interests and passions, they are much more likely to come up with new ideas and solutions.
This can mean that they may also be more motivated to learn and explore because they have a sense of ownership over their activities.
When children are given autonomy and agency, they develop important skills and a sense of self-efficacy.
They are more likely to be creative, motivated and engaged in their lives.
Now, it goes without saying that giving children autonomy and agency must not be characterised or seen from the perspective of "letting them do whatever they want" without any input, advice, support or guidance.
Of course, children still need guidance, structure and boundaries to thrive.
We still do as adults!
However, there are many ways that we, as professionals and parents, can support and advocate for children's autonomy and agency.
One way we can do this is to involve children in decision-making.
This could be as simple as parents allowing their children to choose what to wear on the weekends or professionals allowing freedom to choose which activities to participate in.
All of this within reason and within safe and contained boundaries (we hold the space for them!).
We know that when children are involved in decision-making, it can support them to feel valued and respected.
Another way could be to give them opportunities to take action and make a difference (be prosocial!)
This could look like children participating in community service projects, volunteering to support local causes or advocating for the things they care about.
When children feel like they can make a difference in the world, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.
But I would say that it is important to note that autonomy and agency are not just limited to personal choices or decision-making.
They also apply to children's learning and education.
Allowing children to have a say in their education can make them more invested in their own learning and give them a sense of ownership over their academic progress.
This could be as simple as letting them choose the topic of a school project or giving them a voice in how they want to approach an assignment.
Autonomy and agency are essential for developing a child's sense of self.
Children who feel that they have some control over their lives are more likely to have a positive self-image and be able to handle difficult situations.
When children feel like they have a say in what happens to them, they are more likely to develop a strong sense of identity and feel confident in themselves and their abilities.
Whereas on the other hand, children who feel like they have no control over their lives may become disengaged, disinterested or even resentful.
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When children feel like they are always being told what to do, they may begin to feel helpless, disempowered and like their opinions don't matter (they are not valued!)
This can be damaging to their sense of self and may even affect their emotional wellbeing.
With all of this in mind, it is still important to remember that children are not simply mini-adults.
They have different needs and abilities than adults and they require support and guidance from the key adults in their life.
This does not mean that adults should always make decisions for them!
Instead, adults should aim to strike a balance between providing guidance and support and allowing children to have some autonomy and agency in their lives.
One way to find this balance is to communicate openly and honestly with children.
Adults can explain the reasons behind their decisions and allow children to ask questions and express their opinions.
This can help children feel like they are being heard and understood, even if they don't always get their way.
Another way we can support children is to provide them with opportunities to practice decision-making and problem-solving skills.
This could look like adults encouraging children to come up with solutions to a problem they may be facing (such as a 'what to do' scenario) or to brainstorm ideas for a project.
This can help children develop confidence in their abilities and feel more empowered to take action.
Giving children autonomy and agency is an essential part of supporting their growth and development.
By allowing children to make choices and take action, we can help children develop important skills, a sense of self-efficacy and a strong sense of identity.
While it can be challenging to strike a balance between guidance and autonomy, the benefits of doing so are clear.
By supporting children's autonomy and agency, we can help them become confident, capable and compassionate individuals who are equipped to navigate the challenges of life and make a positive impact in the world!
The most important thing to remember is to take action.?All the information in the world won't make a difference unless you put it into practice!
I really appreciate you investing the time to read my article today, especially knowing your busy schedules and your ongoing to-do lists!
I really do hope that these articles give you the practical tools to implement and make a difference to the lives of the children and families you support.
We are all on a journey of learning, taking the latest research and best practice into account and developing ourselves and our practice.
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