How to… Encourage children’s participation: ensuring a good balance between adult-led and child-led activities

As an early years practitioner, you will already know the importance of creating the right amount of both adult-led and child-led learning. We know that children learn through leading their own play, as well as learning through play which is being guided by adults. But it is important that we are able to offer the children in our care an even balance of both, ensuring that we are listening to and identifying all children’s needs and individual interests – as well as guiding them through warm and positive interactions.