Award-winning! Smart Work 2026: Developing Ways to Hear Children’s Voices
The Smart Work page presents everyday innovations and success stories developed by the employees of the City of Hämeenlinna.
Hearing children’s voices is a key part of developing children’s participation and becoming a child-friendly municipality. Art educator Auni Tuovinen from the Open Cultural Centre ARX has developed methods for hearing children, allowing us to involve children in development work and decision-making.
A knowledge-sharing phase is now under way, inviting other city units to take part in developing and applying ways of hearing children. Over the past year, children have been heard at the Vaikuttamis-ARXantai event, where topics such as the city centre and museum services were discussed. A child impact assessment is currently being carried out in connection with land-use planning.
Tuovinen gave a presentation on hearing children’s voices at the Finnish Municipal Market event on 18 September 2025, representing the Finnish Association of Children’s Culture Centres. In the methods Tuovinen uses, children’s thoughts and opinions are explored in workshops that draw on art and play. Interaction at the child’s own level is especially important.
Developer
Auni Tuovinen, Art Educator, Open Cultural Centre ARX