Caregiver Guide
A note for caregivers or any grown up helping out a young artist with this project
Dear caregivers,
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The goal of this contest is to centre the child in the creative process, and this will be your role during the activity as well. We want to see the child take the lead. Your role is to facilitate by being attentive and supportive—provide resources if needed but give your child space to think and create on their own.
What makes this project special is that the art reflects your child’s true thoughts and feelings without outside influence. Try to de-centre yourself: avoid guiding, suggesting, or taking the lead, as this goes against the child-led focus and advocacy embedded within the contest.
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This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be involved! Sharing this experience with your child is important, but it becomes truly meaningful when you recognize their independence and participation as leaders, and the value of their voice. By allowing them to take the lead, you help unlock their ability to engage and have their voices heard around the world.
Your Guide to Facilitating
1. Read the instructions together.
Sit with the artist and go through the instructions step by step. Encourage them to sound out words and understand the meaning themselves. Each category is written in child-friendly language to make this easier. If you are the reader, listen carefully to the child’s comments—what are they saying? How are they reacting? Write it all down. This is important for paying attention to their voice.
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2. Practice patience.
There is no rush! Take your time going through the instructions together. Ask them which form of art interests them the most, and provide the resources they need to explore it.
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3. Give them space to explore.
You can ask questions to engage the artist, but avoid pushing any specific agenda or idea. Keep questions simple and open-ended so they can think for themselves. Examples include:
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“How can I make sure your ideas come out the way you want?”
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“Do you like to use colours, shapes, or words when you show yourself?”
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“What is your favourite way to make art—drawing, photos, painting, building, acting, or something else?”
You can also ask how they express themselves in different settings—school, with friends, or with family. Write everything down.
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4. Write it all down.
Actively listen and record their thoughts exactly as they say them. This ensures their voice is clear. After writing, check with the artist to make sure their ideas are captured accurately. Then, read through the ideas together to decide how to turn them into an art project.
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5. Enjoy the process.
This is an exciting moment for the artist! They have complete control over their expression, and your role is to support and honour that. Watch as they explore their creativity and freedom. Take the time to celebrate the meaningful moments along the way. Congratulations—you are now both a caregiver and their biggest advocate!