What is agency and adaptability?

Adaptability means that children are able to respond flexibly to different contexts and expectations, held both by others and themselves. 

Agency and adaptability encompasses many important capabilities that mokopuna develop with time, support, and guidance.

Agency is when children take a lead in their own learning, make choices, set goals for themselves and their learning, and follow through with these.  Agency is often referred to as self-determination when decisions affect oneself; however, we can equally think of children coming together to make decisions that impact the wellbeing of the group as collective determination or agency. When agency extends into leadership, the decisions made are intended for the positive outcomes of the collective. 

Adaptability refers to children’s ability to adapt to change and navigate different environments with different expectations and customs. It also includes children being able to participate in everyday routines, follow rules and directions and being able to regulate and direct their attention (focus) and behaviour (actions) in ways that meet the demands of the activity, task, or context at hand. Adaptability might also include children requesting supports or resources needed, adapting the environment to enable success, adjusting to change and adapting their plan of action when new information is presented.

Agency and adaptability come together in children’s ability to take on challenging tasks and show perseverance and being willing to try even if they might risk ‘failure’. Agency and adaptability also include the ability and inclination to overcome difficulty and adversity, when faced with everyday challenges and larger life struggles that require resilience and determination.

Agency and adaptability is associated with a set of skills referred to as executive function. Executive function includes working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. The foundations for these skills begin in the early years of life and are developed throughout life. These skills vary over time and context with natural developmental fluctuations, including during early childhood.

Children are more able to draw on agency and adaptability and associated skills when they feel safe and secure, in responsive relationships, in familiar contexts which are culturally affirming, and with familiar activities and routines. Children will struggle to use executive function skills if they feel stressed, unloved, unsupported, or disconnected. To support children’s emerging executive function skills, it is essential to promote their wellbeing and belonging.