Preschool PPI: How can we involve preschool children in research in a meaningful way?

In this study, we investigate how children aged 3-5 years can be involved in research and development work in a meaningful way. In recent years, children's rights to have a say in decisions that affect them have led to increased interest in child participation and involvement. Although older children are sometimes involved in research - not just as study participants, but as co-creators - young children are often excluded from involvement. But even preschool-aged children have the right to an opinion, to participation and to influence.

In this project, we have created a guide for young children's involvement in research. In the first stage, we interviewed people who already work with participation with young children, such as preschool teachers and other professionals who are meeting young children. We mapped their working methods and approaches, and then investigated what research already exists on these methods.

In the final phase of the project, we will test the newly developed guide in a preschool setting, within small local research projects concerning the preschools’ compensatory task. In a simultaneous process, the guide will be evaluated – from the perspective of both the children and the researchers.