Very young children often are not able to express their thoughts and feelings in words, Because of this, it's important that adults working with them can listen carefully and help children to learn how to express themselves and also provide what they need. Children are 'social learners' and they learn by copying other people, so any adults working with them should model good communication, both speaking and listening, so that children will learn from them. Children need to know that they are being listened to and heard. This helps them to build up a bond and trust with adults and promotes better relationships. The more we learn how to listen to children, the better we will be able to assess their abilities and interests and plan for their next steps in learning and development. When working with children, communication is the most important thing to building a positive relationship. Having good communication skills will help us develop better relationships especially with younger people. Some students who lack in confidence may find it hard to communicate at all with us, so if we come across to that student in a positive and gentle manner they are more likely to open up to us and talk.
Non-verbal communication can also develop positive relationships. For example if a feel that a student is coping in lesson without me being next to them at all the time and a simple smile to them across the classroom will show them that I am there should they need my help, but also shows that I’m not pressurising them by being at their side constantly. This would help the student’s confidence in working

Encouraging children to have own opinion and views
Children can form and express views from the earliest age, but the nature of their participation, and the range of decisions in which they are involved, will necessarily increase in accordance with their age
Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child. 2. For this purpose, the child shall, in particular, be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.'
Involving children in decision making
The Government is committed to the promotion and protection of children’s rights, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It believes that children and young people should have opportunities to express their opinion in matters that affect their lives. Some of the benefits of involving children and young people in decision making are:
It encourages pupils to become active participants in a democratic society - by holding youth parliaments and school councils which develop skills such as cooperation and communication and encourage them to take responsibility.
• It contributes to achievement and attainment - young people involved in participative work benefit in a range of different ways. Increased confidence, self-respect, competence and an improved sense of responsibility have all been reported by young people who contribute in school. Schools also report increased motivation and engagement with learning.
Children, both individually and as part of our nation, gain a lot from participating in decision-making – such as by: increasing their confidence, skills and knowledge improving their understanding of decision-making processes and how organisations work getting more effective and appropriate services and policies that