How to
Methods of participation
The following activities have been used to work with children and young
people of various ages and can be adapted to suit the needs of particular
groups, for example those with complex communication needs.
For more information about methods see resources / links page.
Mind map
Children and young people explore a topic and record their views and experiences
visually. Ideas and thoughts can be represented in various ways, e.g.
pictures, text, symbols and photos. This can be done individually or as
a group and is a useful way to prompt thoughts and discussion.
Benefits:
- Views can be expressed freely and creatively using
images not words.
- A stimulating and accessible way for others to understand
the views being expressed.
- Visual prompts are useful for young people when they
are asked about their views at a later date.
Statements
A number of statements are written on cards. Children and young people then
vote on whether they agree or disagree with each statement. This exercise
can also be used for ranking different issues in order of importance.
Benefits:
- A good way to stimulate discussion.
- Provides concrete results.
- Voting can be done in various ways to make the exercise fun, e.g.
a room can be split into an area for each response option with children
and young people moving to the area that matches their answer to each
statement.
Pop quiz
A quiz in the style of those used in magazines is devised relating to the
consultation topic, i.e. for each question the child or young person is
given a scenario and three options A, B or C.
Benefits:
- A good way to start discussion as the quiz can be completed in a group
or be done individually with children and young people then sharing
and discussing their answers.
Board game
A board game is designed to match the chosen topic. Players roll a dice
to move along squares and when they land on a particular square a card is
taken. Cards contain questions relating to the consultation topic (open-ended,
unfinished sentences and agree/disagree statements). Prize for the first
past the finish line!
Benefits:
- Provides a natural environment for discussion.
- Answers to questions on cards are recorded giving concrete data.
Making a rap
Children and young people produce a simple rap talking about their views,
experiences and suggestions. This can be done using prepared sentences to
which people add their own word, for example;
Benefits:
- Fun way to get children and young people thinking about their thoughts
and opinions.
- Effective way of recording and communicating a large collection of
views.
- Can be recorded to give children and young people a lasting reminder
of their work.
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