Young Children's Rights: Exploring Beliefs, Principles and Practice - Second Edition

This second edition of Alderson's Young Children's Rights provides an overview of the human rights of some of our youngest citizens. The early chapters introduce the reader to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and explain that children have the right to be protected, to be provided with services and to participate in matters that affect them. Children's claims to these rights and their specific content are both explored by Alderson. She casts a critical eye on contemporary children's policy against these rights, weaving in insights from history and economic analysis.

The key strength of this book is the later chapters, which focus on young children as people. The passion of the author comes alive through her description of communicating with young children as equals. She makes a compelling case for consulting and sharing decisions with children under the age of eight, drawing on practical examples and tangible benefits.