This document provides guidance on effectively engaging children and youth in research. It discusses: 1) Planning activities to start groups off well by separating youth from adults, keeping questions simple, and not judging responses. 2) Practices to avoid like long introductions, power imbalances, and sensitive questions too early. 3) Tips for successful engagement including explaining research simply, showing passion, encouraging questions, keeping attention with varied activities, and listening to feedback.

1. Engaging Youth
and Children
(yes it's possible and even fun!)
Prepared by Christabel, Carrie, RAC & RACY members

3. ·Describe how to plan for engaging children or youth.
· Discuss ideas for starting a group off well.
· Identify practices to avoid when engaging
Conflicts of interest:
Carrie works for the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba
(CHRIM) and for other research projects for which there is sometimes
compensation.
Christabel works as a youth partner for the research advisory council for
youth at CHRIM and for other national projects, for which there is
sometimes compensation.
Following this session, attendees should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
children and youth.

4. RACY is
Research
Advisory
Council for
Youth

5. What do you think is hardest in
engaging children and youth?
https://www.menti.com
Enter code: 4317 4229

6. This may be their first (and only)
experience with research.

7. You need the right
equipment.
You need to plan
for what you need.

8. You have the budget, so you can pay
them right
Who do you need to get on board to
help you and who needs to get
checks?
Food, transportation, safety.

9. What are the tax implications to
the youth or family?
Do they even have a SIN number?
How can you compensate a child?
And if the parent supported the
whole thing?
Make sure your partners can make informed choices. If you need
help in Manitoba: Community Financial Counselling Services
https://www.cfcs.mb.ca/

10. How you approach is important

11. Separate youth from adults
Start simple
Don't have judgement built in
No right or wrong answers
Have examples ready
Not looking for agreement
Sow the
right seeds!

12. Plan to leave more sensitive questions for later in a meeting
Ask permission to call on people (but they can pass)
Start with a question everyone can answer
Start off well

13. Is there such a thing as perfect?
Why do you think that?
What can you do today
that you couldn’t do a
year ago?
If you could go back to
your 10-year-old self
what would you say?
If you could visit the
past or the future for
one week, which would
you choose and why?
What is your definition of
being rich? Why?

14. 5 year olds can help with your research too!

15. Introducing yourself as a researcher
Beware of the power imbalance!
Share your passion!
Explain your research in simple
terms
Highlight the impact
Show them your work
Encourage questions

17. Many youth get information from social media
Meeting Flow How long before a question or
interaction?
Avoid too many words
Make the info relatable with
examples
Different things and activities
throughout a meeting
LISTEN
Smaller groups can help

18. Don't kill the
growth!
No

20. Pay them within two weeks.
Let them know what they changed.
Evaluate with researcher and
yourself, how did it go? What
worked and what didn't?
Reach out for feedback often.
We are all learning.
Harvesting the fruit!
Always have mental health and crisis resources on hand.

22. Any Questions?