CHILDREN'S STRATEGIES FOR GIVING VOICE TO NEEDS CONSISTENT WITH THE UN CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD (UNCRC)

In this exploratory study, we analyze strategies presented by young children in the context of having their voices heard. We elicit first-hand accounts of N = 113 5-year-old children's responses to rights-based scenarios to identify their will-expression strategies. We assess developmental factors including, emotional competence, social competence, IQ, and parenting style. Results indicate that the most common tactics involve verbal expression, followed by behavior-avoiding strategies. Cluster analysis revealed that children who were more flexible in naming strategies were more advanced in socio-emotional development but not in cognitive development. Key Points for the Family Court Community: Even though much younger than age thresholds sometimes set by law, 5-year-old children indicate a wide range of will-expression strategies. Five-year-old children express their views in a variety of ways, including both, verbal and behavioral strategies. The strategies the children present show similarities to coping mechanisms. Children who are more flexible in naming will-expression strategies are more advanced in their emotional and social development, but not in their cognitive development.