Ways of seeing: using the Mosaic approach to listen to young children’s perspectives

How can young children’s perspectives become the focus for an exchange of meanings between children, practitioners, parents and researchers? In this chapter, Alison Clark explores how the Mosaic approach provides a way of facilitating such exchanges. Starting from the viewpoint of young children as competent meaning makers and explorers of their environment, the Mosaic approach brings together a range of methods for listening to young children about their lives. The chapter explores this approach in the context of involving young children in changes to an outdoor play area. Wider questions are raised about adult–child power relations and the status of young children.