After some 40 years working in the field of Early Childhood Education some things have become clear:
1. Most policy makers and many teachers have a deficit model of very young children;
2. This view is inaccurate & not supported by any evidence;
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3. Babies & young children are driven to learn & learn best when supported by adults who feed that instinct;
4. Young children have agency and thrive when empowered by adults who acknowledge their capabilities;

5. Schools often fail to recognise the abilities of young children & (unwittingly?) disempower them which can negatively impact on their disposition to learn;
6. Young children tend to thrive in countries where they have access to a developmentally appropriate curriculum up to 7;

6. Empowering children & giving the freedom to explore & experiment is beneficial to all learners. By trusting pupils teachers can help them to achieve great things. For example:
@lucycuth8 who trusted her drama students to turn Ali Smith’s “Hotel World” into a play.

It went on to win Best of Fringe in the Edinburgh Festival.
Or @mollhench who trusted her students instincts allowing them to produce a devised piece “Boys will be Boys” exploring #EverydaySexism & played at the Camden Women’s Festival.

If teachers trust children, recognise their potential and cultivate it all children have the potential to achieve to their limits. But if they are viewed as lacking & offered a straight-jacketed education they fail to thrive.