Change as a Participatory Process

In his his latest version of the Exchange book, Caring Spaces, Learning Places: Children's Environments that Work, Jim Greenman offers this advice about the importance of participation in making changes in an early childhood environment (although this thinking would apply to all sorts of other program and policy changes as well)...

"Child care is a group process. Changes always involve others, whether moving a piece of furniture or building an addition. The more extensive the change, the more individuals are involved. There are those who may have to sanction, approve, ratify change -- administrators; funders; fire, safety, health and licensing regulators; insurers; and others in authority. There are those who have to effect the change -- purchasers, builders, staff, and so on. And finally, there are those who have to live with the change -- staff, parents, chidlren and community. All come to the process with different perspectives, desires and roles to play.

"A participatory process in planning, design, and implementation does not have to mean endless, egalitarian process, culiminating in a compromise end product that serves no one well. Nor does involving teachers and parents (and children) in designing or implementing changes necessarily mean having to cater to current desires and interests and skill levels. What is important is that all perspectives and needs are laid bare. Human experience is the foundation of good design. The more the design process takes into account the blend of roles, attitudes, and behaviors the space will encompass, the better the chance for designs that work....

"Participation in the implementation of change invests people in change. It is unsettling for all of us to be moved or to deal with changes. Incorporating a role for children, staff and parents in the process of planning, building, or moving hastens the settling process....

"Participation also empowers people. Good teachers, parents and competent children need to see themselves as environmental designers, capable of adapting environments to accomplish goals."

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