ABSTRACT
This chapter emphasizes that they are integral to being attentive to children's voices and perspectives. It expresses that reflective practice founded on tuning in to what children are saying through their play and activity, inspires practitioners to change and transform their provision. The chapter also expresses that effective educators need to be good researchers, by developing inquiry-based approaches to their practice. It examines the implications of developing inquiry-based approaches in the context of contemporary policy frameworks. The chapter discusses children's agency and voices, and how these can inform practice through observing and listening. It focuses on the ideas in the context of assessment practices, based on the attributes of effective educators identified by Fisher. Vignettes from research studies are used to provoke reflective consideration of children's voices, meanings and perspectives, and how these can be used to develop ethical practices.
