The Child-led research approach is intended for facilitators who will support and mentor child researchers.

Children have long been the ‘objects’ of research, but research by children as ‘active participants’ is relatively new. Children are franker, they are not restricted by social norms and expectations, and often speak with an open mind, because of the lack of consequences. Add up their natural curiosity and creativity children are ideal researchers. Research with and by children recognises that children are experts in their lives and that their experiences and opinions are different from adults. It acknowledges children’s right to be heard and their views to be taken seriously.

The Child-led research approach is realised in a handbook that provides you with activities following a learning-by-doing process, taking children on a journey through the phases of scientific research. The activities in the handbook go over 11 weekly sessions of 60-120 minutes.