Silkysteps early years forum - planning ideas for play - Diploma help!! how to encourage children to participate in the decisions that affect their lives?

With young children (2)you may provide a variety of resources, but they will choose what they like to play with, so they are capable of making choices, as you observe that one young child always chooses a pram and transports allsorts or another likes to play with sand.

At snack time (for younger - 2) you can provide a variety of snacks say sliced cucumber, sliced tomatoes, cheese cubes and mini breadsticks - presented nicely will encourage them to try (if some of it is new to them) and allow them to make their own decision of what they prefer or not.

With an older child you can talk more about snacktime and ask them what they would like to prepare and eat - this does sometimes end up with too many choices, but you know what's in season or special offer, so you may say 'they are very good ideas, I think the supermarket will have bananas - would you like bananas with some other fruit or in pitta bread?' etc

By talking with older children, you are giving them a voice, listening and they are choosing and making decisions whatever you are talking about - what games would they like to play - off they go to fetch the dominoes/snap/ludo etc
With younger children you make fetch wooden pairs or chunky dominoes and ask if which one they like. You'll probably play both with them coming and going, but you are valuing them and encouraging them to start to think for themselves rather than us adults say 'we are going to do ....'.

A limited choice is better for younger ones as too much choice may confuse them ( grass is greener syndrome), with an older child they can visualise more and can decide which game they wish to play without having to get out a dozen games.

I can't help you with your course criteria whether it is written or observed as I have no idea what any of your courses entails, but hope the above helps.