A radical vision for children's right to participate and be heard - Marc Battle

In our exciting pilot episode, we sit down with Marc Battle, an inspiring early childhood educator and ECE College instructor who is helping to shape the next generation of Early Childhood Educators in Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada.  Marc uses an approach to teaching that blends music, joy, social justice, and deep respect for children’s rights. He also happens to be a musician, which adds rhythm—literally and figuratively—to his teaching practice.

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Together, we explore what it means to center children’s voices in education, not just as a value, but as a practice that informs the very design of classrooms, curriculum, and educator training. At the heart of the conversation is a campaign Marc is championing called “Nothing for Kids Without Kids”, a transformative call to action that challenges adult supremacy in early education.

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Whether you’re an educator, student, parent, or policymaker, this episode will expand your perspective on what it means to work with children, in the 21st century.

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Marc brings an infectious energy to the discussion, and a playful, yet deeply thoughtful approach to preparing early childhood educators. He’s not afraid to push against traditional boundaries and ask important questions like “Who am I in a child’s life?” or “What would it look like to build a classroom alongside children instead of around them?”

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We dive into Marc’s foundational belief that we must learn from children, not just about them. 

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In this conversation we challenge some of the traditional ideas that can lead to treating children like they are empty vessels needing to be filled or behaviours to be managed.  Instead, Marc advocates for classrooms that are democratic, joyful, and co-created, WITH children. 

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Marc shares some of the ways that he approaches his work with ECE Students that ultimately helps them to not only understand the importance of listening to children but also how to build classrooms where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

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In this episode, we take up ideas that challenge traditional power dynamics in early learning and reimagine what it means to truly center children in our practice. Together with Marc, we dive into:

1. “Nothing for Kids Without Kids”
   We explore how this powerful principle invites educators to shift from doing things for children to doing things with them—and what it means to honor children's right to participate in decisions that shape their day-to-day lives.
2. Learning from Kids, Not Just About Them
   Marc shares his approach to working with future educators, encouraging them to see children as active collaborators and thinkers, not just subjects of study. It’s a shift in mindset that transforms how we engage with children’s ideas and perspectives.
3. Dismantling Adult Supremacy and Preconceived Notions
   We unpack how traditional systems often prioritize adult control and explore what it takes to undo those assumptions in favor of more equitable, responsive relationships with children.
4. What More Democratic Classrooms Can Look Like
   From daily routines to classroom setup, we discuss some practical ways to build environments where children have a voice and shared ownership in the learning process.
5. The Power of Play, Joy, and Music
   Marc brings his background as a musician into the conversation, reminding us that early learning should be filled with rhythm, laughter, and creative expression. When we prioritize joy, we unlock deeper learning for everyone—children and adults alike.

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This conversation with Marc reminds us that children don’t just belong in our classrooms—they can help shape them.  He invites us to remember that early childhood education is more than curriculum—it’s a relationship. A relationship between adults and children, between children and their communities, and between educators and the systems they hope to transform.

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If we are serious about preparing children for the 21st century, we must be willing to ask ourselves some important questions like, “How are we listening, adapting, and creating space for children’s voices?” and “Are we willing to loosen our grip on control so that we might invite meaningful collaboration and create more democratic classrooms?”

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