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Project Gatulabba has a target group of 5-18 year olds, but divides them into three subgroups because different dialogue and implementation methods work differently for different ages. There is a big difference between working with preschool children or teenagers. Children of different ages have different ways of looking at the world around them, and they are differently equipped to take on different methods.
Independent mobility is different for different ages
Today, there is generally a large proportion of children under 11 who do not have independent mobility in their own neighborhood, whether crossing roads, walking to places within walking distance or going home from school. By the age of 12, a majority of children are allowed to walk alone only to places within walking distance. It is only at the age of 15 that a majority of children are allowed to move freely in their own city, at least as long as it is light outside.
age 5-7
Independent mobility at this age
The children in this group are still attached to their parents and to their parents’ movement patterns, but soon it will be time to become more independent. This is their last term in pre-school before starting school. The children are strongly attached to their preschool teachers.
Co-creation at this age
Using pictures and stories can help children to absorb information and understand difficult words. For example, characters with different characteristics can be used to show and remind children that people are different and have different needs. Visual aids such as pictures and maps can also help with communication and understanding.
Methods of visual communication and storytelling:
Engagement at this age
This age is best reached through a preschool. The teachers are important during the sessions, as they create a sense of security for the children and can act as a link for communication between you and the children if needed. They can also join in the activities and help out where an extra pair of hands is needed. The teachers know the children best and know how they work in groups, so ask them to help you organise the children into small groups.
Tips from us
This age group is not yet used to sitting still and concentrating for long periods of time and may need a break for play between activities. Plays are also good to use as icebreakers and to get to know each other
Methods for play and getting to know each other:
Methods suitable for children aged 5-7 years
Preschoolers and safety
In 2020, Spacescape was commissioned by the City of Malmö to conduct a study on children’s perceived traffic safety. 92 children and young people were asked to complete a travel diary with questions about their everyday movements, perceived freedom of movement and particularly safe or unsafe places in traffic. The survey was followed by seven walks with children from pre-school to upper secondary school where specific traffic environments were further discussed.
The study points out that preschoolers themselves do not seem to associate traffic with unsafety, which is probably because parents or other adults take responsibility for them in those situations. Instead, their experiences are based on learning. They find it safer to move around in places they usually go with adults and have thus learnt which places are dangerous. They are instructed by parents and school staff how to recognise the places and how to deal with them. Therefore, working on safety with younger children can be a bit tricky.
Age 8-12
Independent mobility at this age
When it comes to independent mobility, this age is particularly interesting to work with, as it is these children who should be able to enjoy more independent mobility in our cities. Today, it is usually only at this age that we can talk about children starting to move around on their own.
8-12 year olds are taking their first steps towards independence and exploring the world around them. This age group is characterised by curiosity and a willingness to take initiative. Although it differs from one individual to another, it is usually during these years that children start to explore the neighbourhood, the school surroundings and the city pulse. They start taking bike rides to parks, walking themselves to and from school, and creating their own little adventures. This independence is central to their personal development and gives them a sense of responsibility and freedom. As it differs from individual to individual, inequalities can also be experienced. Some children get more freedom from their parents, others less.
Co-creating at this age
Engaging with this age group requires an understanding of their energy, curiosity and willingness to participate. Here are some important aspects to consider as an adult educator:
Understanding and respecting the independence of 8-12 year olds while offering guidance and support is key to a rewarding educational experience.
Engagement at this age
The easiest way to reach this age is through a school’s after-school programme. To capture their engagement, it’s important to ask them if they want to be involved in the process. Explain your project honestly and with enthusiasm. You need to be transparent about the limitations of the project so that there are no misunderstandings that lead to sad children. The more clearly you can explain the purpose, timeframe, time required, objectives and content, the better. Give children the mandate to decide on their time. Use pictures and stories which make it easier to absorb information and understand.
Tips from us
Methods for getting to know each other:
Methods suitable for children aged 8-12 years
Age 13-18
Independent mobility at this age
Children in this age group are often busy with school, friends, family and various leisure activities, which means they are constantly balancing different demands and obligations. At the same time, they feel a strong need to just be, to spend time with friends, something that our participants emphasised as particularly important. The youth expressed a clear need to make the neighbourhood safer and more sociable. They asked for more places to just hang out, places they were not driven away from, such as playgrounds. Places they can gather without being told to go home and study instead. As cities grow, so does overcrowding, which affects this particular group, as there are no natural places to socialise, where they are free from the demands and rules of the adult world – places where their own social rules apply.
Co-creating at this age
Hiring youth leaders is not only a way to get young people involved, it is also a way to show that young people’s time is valuable. The benefits of having youth leaders in the team are that they speak the same language as the participants, can draw on their peers and encourage others to join based on their view of the project. It is important that the youth leaders receive enough information about the project and that they are continuously involved in planning and evaluation. The leaders need time to practise the methods before it is time to carry them out with other young people. The youth leaders should represent the young people who will be participating in the group and the area you will be working with.
Engagement at this age
This age group can be difficult for us adults to approach. They are on the borderline between childhood and adulthood. It can easily be a clash of worlds, but it can also be very exciting encounters that can lead to great ideas for the city. You need to be transparent about the limitations of the project so that there is no misunderstanding. The clearer you can explain the purpose, timeframe, duration, objectives and content, the better. Our tip for finding young people is to turn to youth centres or youth associations and to hire youth leaders.
Tips from us
Youths need time to get to know you and each other, so it is important to plan time for coffee and hanging out between working on the methods.
Methods for getting to know each other:
Methods that fit well with competition elements:
Some methods can be carried out as a competition, as older children and young people can be spurred on by competing against each other.
Methods suitable for children aged 13-18 years
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