1.4 Evaluate different ways to involve children in decision making

This. guide will help you answer 1.4 Evaluate different ways to involve children in decision making.

Involving children in decision making is a fundamental part of playwork. It supports their confidence, independence, and ability to express themselves. The process helps them feel valued and respected within the setting. It builds trust between children and adults and encourages them to take ownership of their experiences. There are many methods for involving children, each suited to different situations and age groups.

This guide will look at various approaches, and their strengths and limits.

Group Discussions

Gathering children together for group discussions gives them a shared space to contribute ideas. This works well for decisions about play themes, activity planning, or changes to equipment. Discussion groups can happen during a set time each week or be arranged for a specific decision.

Benefits:

• Children hear each other’s ideas and opinions
• Builds listening and communication skills
• Encourages cooperation and problem solving

Limitations:

• Confident children may dominate the conversation
• Younger children or those who are shy may hold back
• Requires skilled facilitation to keep the group focused

Tips for success:

• Use an object to pass around, so only the person holding it speaks
• Make sure every child has a turn
• Keep sessions short and engaging

Suggestion Boxes

Providing a suggestion box is a simple method that allows children to put forward their views without pressure. This can be a decorated cardboard box or any secure container placed somewhere they can reach easily.

Benefits:

• Gives quieter children a voice
• Allows private contributions
• Can be used at any time without disrupting play

Limitations:

• Feedback is delayed
• Some children may need help with writing
• Risk of unclear or incomplete suggestions

Practical steps:

• Add paper and pens nearby
• Review the suggestions regularly
• Respond to ideas so children see their input has value

Voting

Voting helps children make a joint decision in a fair and structured way. This can be done by raising hands, using counters in jars, or secret ballots using paper slips.

Benefits:

• Teaches democratic process
• Easy to understand
• Gives equal value to each person’s choice

Limitations:

• Majority wins may leave some children disappointed
• Complex issues may not suit simple voting
• Younger children may need support to grasp the options

Tips:

• Limit to two or three choices
• Explain each option clearly
• Offer a chance to talk about the results afterwards

Visual Choice Boards

Visual boards use pictures, drawings, or objects to represent choices. This approach is useful for younger children or those with communication needs. For example, photos of activities or toys can be pinned to a board for children to select.

Benefits:

• Accessible to all ages
• Supports understanding for children with limited reading skills
• Makes choices clear and tangible

Limitations:

• Preparation takes time
• Needs regular updating to stay accurate
• Can be limited in scope if too few images are available

How to apply:

• Display the board in a central area
• Encourage children to choose by pointing, moving a marker, or putting their name tag near the option
• Rotate choices often to keep it fresh

Role Play Decision Making

Role play scenarios let children act out decision making. For example, setting up a pretend council meeting or planning a new play area with model equipment. This approach is playful and often appeals to creative and energetic groups.

Benefits:

• Adds fun to the process
• Encourages imagination and cooperation
• Helps children explore consequences of decisions in a safe way

Limitations:

• Needs preparation and space
• May drift into unrelated play if not guided
• Works best with more structured support from adults

Advice:

• Provide clear roles like “chairperson” or “note taker”
• Prompt children to think through options and outcomes
• Reflect afterwards on what decisions were made and why

One-to-One Conversations

Some children respond best to personal attention. A quiet one-to-one talk can uncover views they might not share in front of others. This can happen during play, snack time, or in any calm setting.

Benefits:

• Builds trust and rapport
• Allows deep focus on individual opinions
• Gives space for children to explain ideas without interruption

Limitations:

• Time consuming with large groups
• Information spread may be slower
• Decisions may be influenced by adult opinion if not handled carefully

Best practice:

• Listen actively without rushing
• Avoid leading questions
• Follow up by representing the child’s voice in group decisions

Child-led Planning Sessions

Letting children lead planning sessions gives them control over organising activities. Adults can support by providing resources and guidance but keep input minimal. This works for themed days or setting up new play zones.

Benefits:

• Strong ownership of outcomes
• Encourages leadership skills
• Supports teamwork

Limitations:

• May require more time than adult-led planning
• Risk of impractical ideas needing modification
• Possible frustration if plans are not achievable

Application tips:

• Offer a broad range of resources
• Set clear boundaries such as budget or safety rules
• Help children adapt ideas so they can be implemented

Online Platforms and Digital Tools

Older children can use digital surveys or shared documents to contribute ideas. These can be completed at home or within the play setting using tablets or computers.

Benefits:

• Allows wider participation
• Easy to gather and analyse responses
• Can be done asynchronously to fit different schedules

Limitations:

• Requires access to technology and skills to use it
• May exclude children without internet at home
• Needs monitoring to keep content safe and appropriate

Considerations:

• Keep questions short and clear
• Use visual elements for younger users
• Supervise any online activity to protect safety

Using Observation and Spontaneous Feedback

Sometimes the best decisions come from observing children in play and noting their natural preferences. Adults can watch how they use spaces or resources and check in with simple questions during play.

Benefits:

• Reflects real interests and behaviours
• Less formal and disruptive
• Can capture ideas from children who struggle to express themselves in structured formats

Limitations:

• Risk of adult bias in interpreting behaviour
• Feedback may be incomplete without direct questioning
• Harder to record systematically

Ideas:

• Combine observation with quick informal chats
• Keep notes in a simple log
• Use patterns over time to inform decisions

Balancing Methods for Different Groups

No single method works best all the time. A mix of approaches can improve inclusion and engagement. For example, younger children may prefer visual boards, while older ones enjoy group debates. Children with additional needs may need adapted methods such as simplified language or sensory tools.

When evaluating methods, consider:

• Age and stage of development
• Communication styles
• Cultural backgrounds and preferences
• The scale and impact of the decision

An adaptable approach keeps decision making fair and accessible across the whole group.

Measuring Impact of Involvement

It is important to review whether methods are effective. This means looking at whether children are more engaged, whether they see changes from their contributions, and if their confidence grows over time.

Ways to measure impact:

• Feedback from children after the process
• Observation of participation levels
• Seeing how many ideas get implemented
• Checking if behaviour improves through feeling valued

Evaluation can be informal but should happen regularly. This helps shape future decision-making processes and keeps them relevant.

Legal and Policy Context in the UK

Playworkers must align their practice with UK legal frameworks. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to be heard in matters affecting them. The Children Act 1989 and 2004 also recognise this right. Local policies and organisational guidelines often outline how children’s voices should be included.

Being aware of these standards supports safeguarding and good practice. Decisions made without involving children risk breaching these rights and reducing their engagement.

Final Thoughts

Involving children in decision making is more than a tick-box task. It is part of respecting them as active participants in their own lives. When children see their ideas influence their environment, they take more pride and feel a stronger sense of belonging.

Each method described here offers something different. The best results often come from blending approaches and adapting them for the group in question. Keep listening, stay flexible, and respond with visible changes when possible. This shows children that their voice has true value.