British Values – Democracy

Democracy within early years is about teaching children that everybody’s voice and opinion matters and that each child’s thoughts and feelings should be listened to and valued. 

Democracy is also about teaching children that sometimes we are given the power to choose and make decisions as individuals and as a group. 

Of course, it’s important to explain that democracy doesn’t apply to every situation. Sometimes, rules take priority over choice. This can be difficult for children to understand, as you are giving them power in certain situations, and taking it away in others.

It’s also important to explain that it wouldn’t be fair for all choices to be made by a vote as the majority would always win, and the minority would never get to eat their favourite snack or play their favourite game.

Promoting democracy in your setting includes:

• turn-taking
• collaborating
• sharing, and making decisions together
• creating an atmosphere that encourages curiosity