What the Methodology Is
Understanding the foundation and purpose of this approach
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Younger children’s participation is an approach developed by Save the Children in collaboration with children over recent years, designed to ensure that the participation of younger children is both recognised and strengthened in practice. The core theories underlying the framework are the theory of positive recognition (Häkli et al., 2018) and child centred design.
The framework consists of the following components: foundations and principles; working with young children; tools, methods and stages of child friendly practice; and impact through children’s knowledge.
The main purpose is to keep the focus on the youngest children, who are often left out of decision making processes and initiatives promoting children’s participation.
What problem does the framework help solve? The framework promotes younger children’s participation so that they have more opportunities to be part of society.
How It Can Be Used
Practical applications and implementation guidance
This methodology can be applied to any process aimed at working with younger children, ensuring that the methods used are child friendly. It helps teams understand what to pay attention to before, during, and after activities, and provides practical tips (e.g. child friendly materials and methods) learned from working with children.
It is particularly useful when the target group consists of children in especially vulnerable situations (e.g. belonging to a minority, having functional limitations, or experiencing a challenging life situation). The framework offers, for example, knowledge and skills for working with children who do not share a common language or who communicate without using speech.
The framework can be used with individual children or groups of children, and it can be adapted according to the needs of each child or child group.
Focus on Inclusion
The methodology places a strong emphasis on inclusion, ensuring that children of different ages (including from birth), genders, abilities, and backgrounds can participate meaningfully. It highlights that every child is able to participate when we, as adults, know how to listen, are willing to do so, and have the necessary resources.
The framework emphasises that each child is unique, and that adults must adjust their actions according to the child’s needs, ensuring a safe environment where the child does not have to expend additional effort. The responsibility for those efforts lies with adults.
The framework follows and is built upon the Nine Principles for Meaningful and Ethical Participation of Children (UN General Comment No. 12, 2009), from which a child friendly visual version has been developed.
Contributors
Organizations and individuals who developed this methodology
Save the Children Finland
The framework was developed at Save the Children Finland in collaboration with children who have taken part in SC Finland’s activities.
Click here to go to Save the Children Finland's website.Testimonials
Voices from those who have experienced this methodology
