The Checklist for Engagement of Children Worksheet helps program teams determine the feasibility and appropriateness of engaging children and communities in monitoring. If/when project teams determine that it is feasible and appropriate to engage children in MEAL, the graphic below shows the range of possible ways (and varying degrees) for engagement. The potential degrees of involving children in PA project monitoring is laid out in Figure 7. It should be used in combination with Tool 7.1 Checklist for Engagement of Children.
The following are the degrees/types of involvement for children in project monitoring activities. The examples shown are for illustrative purposes only, showing what could be possible. What is actually possible will be determined by the specific context in which the project is being implemented
Monitoring activities are designed and run by adults but children are consulted. They have a full understanding of the process and their opinions are taken seriously.
Save the Children decides it hold FGDs during after school clubs to find out if children perceive a difference in their intra-household agency since the PA project began. Children are informed why and when these activities will take place within school club time. Children can decide not to take part in the FGDs if they wish. Children also understand what the information will be used for. Save the Children staff actively listen and record the opinions of children during the FGDs without bias.
Adults decide on the monitoring activities and children volunteer to take part in them e.g. taking part in FGD’s or drawing exercises. The children understand the purpose of the monitoring activities, they know who decided to involve them and why. Adults respect the views of the young people.
Save the Children decides it will use the following methodologies to consult children about changes they have observed in their household (care practices, resource allocation, decision making power): 1. FGDs with 15-18 year olds 2. Body mapping exercise with 11-14 year olds 3. Yes, No, Maybe game with 8-10 year olds Children understand the purpose of these activities and how they can get involved if they want to i.e. they can volunteer to take part. Save the Children staff respect the views that children express during the exercise and do not try to lead children into giving particular answers.
Adults have the initial idea but young people are involved in every step of planning and implementing monitoring activities. Not only are their views considered but children are involved in making decisions using the monitoring data
Save the Children staff decide it is important to consult children on changes they have observed in their household and community regarding child labour Save the Children then discusses and decides with children which data collection methodologies are most suitable to use with different groups of children e.g. FGDs with children, drawing and writing exercises, what questions to ask, and how and when these activities should be undertaken. Once the data has been analysed, children are involved in making decisions about how to use this data to improve the situation for children and decrease rates of child labour in their community.
Children have ideas about what and how to monitor, set up monitoring activities and come to adults for advice, discussion and support. The adults do not direct but offer their expertise for young people to consider.
Children have been involved in designing child focused indicators for the PA project focused on improved nutrition and eating habits. They have ideas about how to collect information against these indicators and what types of activities are suitable for children of different sexes and ages. Save the Children staff are able to provide advice and support for children to plan and run monitoring activities but do not direct when, where and how the activities will take place.
Young people have the initial idea and decide on how the monitoring is to be carried out. Adults are available but do not take charge.
Existing school clubs or children’s committees decide they would like to lead exercises to monitor changes in children’s wellbeing using drama and drawing. Children lead identification of children to take part in the activities, and plan and run the sessions and analyse the data collected. Save the Children staff provide support to help where requested.
Comments (0)