EYFS The Child's Voice

and the Progress Check at Age Two

Every two-year-old child is unique. Each is an individual with his or her own views and ideas. It is essential to
take the time to listen to and respond to their voices and take what they are communicating seriously. The
Progress Check at Age Two is an opportunity to reflect together on a child’s development and plan activities
and strategies to help them continue to make progress. Taking the child’s own voice into consideration is very
important.

How Might This Be Done?

Young children will express themselves and their
views in different ways, not just through talking.
If you look and listen carefully, you will learn a
lot about what is important to them. You could
consider:
• What do they like to do?
• How are they interacting?
You might try using a set of photos to
encourage children to express their views, for
example, by pointing. Children could also take
their own photos, for example, of places where
they feel happy.
Children can express their voices through:
• Laughing

• What do they notice about other people? • Smiling

• What activities particularly interest them? • Crying

• What resources are they exploring? • Facial expressions

• How do they play? • Looking

• How do they make choices? • Touching

• Clasping

• Pointing

• The way they use resources

You might also use some simple questions or prompts as children are involved in their play, such as:
• Tell me what’s happening.

• What do you like doing?

• Which toys do you like?

• Tell me about your picture.

• I wonder what you’re doing.

• What will you choose?

• What do you like?

• Is there anything you don’t like?

visit twinkl.com