Throughout the literature it is increasingly recognized that a child’s and adolescent’s functioning in school is inextricably linked with his or her sense of belonging and connection to the school environment and his or her relationships with peers and teachers within it. Thus, it is necessary to obtain the perspectives of children and youth regarding their school experiences and for them to be included in decisions that affect their lives inschools in explicit and authentic ways.
This presentation will focus on the aspects of Janusz Korczak’s work that can inform both present and future efforts to bring children’s voices into schools. Included in this discussion will be some of the recent scientific findings which indicate that including students’ voices not only leads to higher academic achievement, but also supports the development of their empathy, compassion, and well-being. The session will also include a panel of young children who will be asked to provide their own experiences on why this is important and give their advice to educators and others on how to include children’s voices into the fabric of schooling.