Although it might seem that talking and listening is not significant, at ACTivatingVoices, the ‘Voices’ is what drives the success for families and children.
VOICES’ are the words, thoughts, and ideas a person has. And it is about each person realising that they have the right to share their ‘voice’, to have their ‘voice’ listened to and respected by others – both adults and children. This is having an empowered voice.
when children… are empowered with a ‘voice’, they will feel a sense of belonging to the ‘community’ of the home setting. They will know they are a part of the decisions that are made for them and around in the daily experiences and routines. As a result, this builds their social-emotional well-being (including their self-worth), which supports them in continuing to shape a confident self-identity.
STRENGTHENED FOUNDATIONS
Having a ‘voice’ is at the foundations of actvoices. This is our core values, because with a ‘voice’ builds everything else and strengthens the foundations of one’s life.
With a ‘voice’ builds reciprocal respect of oneself and others. As you build on this foundation – a strengthened foundation, each individual is able to build a strong emotional well-being, which then shapes a confident self-identity.
I AM HEARD – I Hear My Voice And Others Hear My Voice.
By helping children and adults believe in their ‘voice’ – their words, thoughts, opinions, and ideas – they must use it and have it heard, while also listening and respecting others’ voices.
By having an empowered voice, children, parents and carers know that they have control and can take control over their life. This ‘voice’ – their voice – is what they learn can and should be shared and respected.
When they continue to use their voice and have it heard, this voice tells them that “I can and actually do influence things around me, through the decisions and choices I make, and these decisions will affect my present life”.
BUT HOW? Empower Your Voice.
For children, to empower their ‘voice’, it is a combo of giving them independence (I.E. The ability to do things by themselves for themselves) + self-agency (I.E. The ability to make decisions and choices for themselves that will affect their present lives).
