Course: 10 - Applying a Child-Centered Approach to Humanitarian Action

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Children are among the most vulnerable in humanitarian crises, requiring targeted protection, participation, and support to ensure their well-being. This course introduces the child-centered approach in humanitarian action, emphasizing the rights, needs, and voices of children in emergency response and recovery efforts.
Through active learning and real-world scenarios, participants will explore the core principles of child-centered humanitarian action, including the best interests of the child, meaningful child participation, and the implementation of child protection minimum standards. The course also provides practical strategies for integrating child-centered approaches into humanitarian programming, ensuring that interventions prioritize children’s safety, development, and active engagement in shaping their own futures.
The course follows a microlearning approach, offering bite-sized lessons (15–20 minutes each) that make it easy to grasp complex human rights concepts. Interactive activities, case studies, and scenario-based exercises provide opportunities for active learning. There are no graded assessments—participants can engage, explore, and retry activities as often as needed to deepen their understanding.

To learn more about the efficacy of online learning and online learning at NextGenU.org please see “A Novel Integration of Online and Flipped Classroom Instructional Models in Public Health Higher Education,” (2014), BMC Medical Education, “Building Public Health Capacity through Online Global Learning,” (2018), Open Praxis, or on NextGenU.org’s publication page.
There are four micro-lessons to complete, which include:
Introduction to Child-Centered Approaches
Understanding the Best Interests of the Child
Child Participation in Humanitarian Action
Child Protection Minimum Standards
Each micro-lesson takes approximately 15-20 minutes and includes interactive activities and questions to reinforce key concepts. These activities are ungraded and designed to support active learning—participants can attempt them as many times as needed.
At the end of the course, participants must pass a scenario-based quiz that applies their learning to real-world humanitarian challenges. Upon successful completion, participants will earn a badge.
Once you’ve passed the final exam, you will receive a badge from NextGenU.org and our course’s co-sponsoring organizations. We keep your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. Also, we are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request.
Engaging with this Course:
You can enroll in this course or browse this course for free for personal enrichment; there are no requirements.
To obtain a badge, a learner must successfully complete:
All the reading requirements

All quizzes and pass with a 70% with unlimited attempts

All activities

The final exam

The self and course evaluation forms

NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with

A link to and description of the course training so that they can see all its components, including the cosponsoring universities and other professional organization cosponsors;

Your grade on the final exam;

Your work products (e.g., case study activities), and any other required or optional shared materials that you produce and authorize to share with them;

Your evaluations -- course and self-assessments;

A copy of your badge, along with the co-sponsoring universities and other organizations listed.

Next Steps

Take the short knowledge pre-test. It allows us to assess various aspects of the course itself.

Complete the registration form.

Begin the course with Lesson 1: Introduction to Child-Centered Approaches.

In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, and take the corresponding quizzes.

Disclaimer: This content is designed to enhance your study; we cannot guarantee that the successful completion of these materials will enable you to work in your place of residence as regulations vary by location. If you plan to practice using your new knowledge, to ensure safety and compliance with your local laws, you must successfully complete a program of study approved by the government and relevant local regulatory agencies in your place of practice.

NextGenU.org does not directly confer academic degrees or guarantee that learning institutions will accept NextGenU.org coursework for credit.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Child-Centered Approaches
Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define child-centered approaches in humanitarian action.
- Explain why prioritizing children's rights and needs is crucial in humanitarian settings.
- Understand the principles underlying child-centered approaches.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 15 minutes

Click here to start this lesson
1 File, 1 SCORM package
- Required Learning Resources
- Learning Resource: Introduction to Child-Centered Approaches File 131.2KB PDF document
  Click on the link to access the summary of this lesson's content. You are encouraged to read the summary notes before you begin the microlesson and refer back to them alongside your journey through the lesson. There will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
- Activities
  In order to access activities, you must be enrolled in the course and logged in to your account.
  Please refer to this video for instructions on how to create and account and enroll in a course:
- Microlesson 1 - Introduction to Child-Centered Approaches SCORM package
  
  To access the microlesson:
  
  Step 1: Click on the link to the Microlesson above.
  
  Step 2: Select "Enter"; the microlesson will open in a new window
  
  Step 3: Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to begin the microlesson.
  
  If you need to exit the microlesson before it is completed, either click on "Exit Course" on the top right of the screen, or simply close the window. Your progress should be saved automatically.
  Within the Microlesson, there will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
Lesson 2: Understanding the Best Interests of the Child
Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define the concept of the best interests of the child.
- Identify factors influencing the determination of a child's best interests in humanitarian contexts.
- Discuss the legal and ethical frameworks guiding decisions regarding the best interests of the child.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 15 minutes

Click here to start this lesson
1 File, 1 SCORM package
- Required Learning Resources
- Learning Resource: Understanding the Best Interests of the Child File 133.1KB PDF document
  Click on the link to access the summary of this lesson's content. You are encouraged to read the summary notes before you begin the microlesson and refer back to them alongside your journey through the lesson. There will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
- Activities
  In order to access activities, you must be enrolled in the course and logged in to your account.
  Please refer to this video for instructions on how to create and account and enroll in a course:
- Microlesson 2 - Understanding the Best Interests of the Child SCORM package
  
  To access the microlesson:
  
  Step 1: Click on the link to the Microlesson above.
  
  Step 2: Select "Enter"; the microlesson will open in a new window
  
  Step 3: Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to begin the microlesson.
  
  If you need to exit the microlesson before it is completed, either click on "Exit Course" on the top right of the screen, or simply close the window. Your progress should be saved automatically.
  Within the Microlesson, there will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
Lesson 3: Child Participation in Humanitarian Action
Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of child participation in decision-making processes in humanitarian settings.
- Identify barriers to meaningful child participation and strategies to overcome them.
- Understand the role of children as agents of change in humanitarian initiatives.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 15 minutes

Click here to start this lesson
1 File, 1 SCORM package
- Required Learning Resources
- Learning Resource: Child Participation in Humanitarian Action File 115.3KB PDF document
  Click on the link to access the summary of this lesson's content. You are encouraged to read the summary notes before you begin the microlesson and refer back to them alongside your journey through the lesson. There will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
- Activities
  In order to access activities, you must be enrolled in the course and logged in to your account.
  Please refer to this video for instructions on how to create and account and enroll in a course:
- Microlesson 3 - Child Participation in Humanitarian Action SCORM package
  
  To access the microlesson:
  
  Step 1: Click on the link to the Microlesson above.
  
  Step 2: Select "Enter"; the microlesson will open in a new window
  
  Step 3: Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to begin the microlesson.
  
  If you need to exit the microlesson before it is completed, either click on "Exit Course" on the top right of the screen, or simply close the window. Your progress should be saved automatically.
  Within the Microlesson, there will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
Lesson 4: Child Protection Minimum Standards
Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Define child protection minimum standards in humanitarian response.
- Identify key components of child protection frameworks and policies.
- Explain the importance of implementing child protection measures to safeguard children in crisis situations.
Approximate time required for the readings for this lesson (at 144 words/minute): 15 minutes

Click here to start this lesson
1 File, 1 SCORM package
- Required Learning Resources
- Learning Resource: Child Protection Minimum Standards File 126.1KB PDF document
  Click on the link to access the summary of this lesson's content. You are encouraged to read the summary notes before you begin the microlesson and refer back to them alongside your journey through the lesson. There will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
- Activities
  In order to access activities, you must be enrolled in the course and logged in to your account.
  Please refer to this video for instructions on how to create and account and enroll in a course:
- Microlesson 4 - Child Protection Minimum Standards SCORM package
  
  To access the microlesson:
  
  Step 1: Click on the link to the Microlesson above.
  
  Step 2: Select "Enter"; the microlesson will open in a new window
  
  Step 3: Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to begin the microlesson.
  
  If you need to exit the microlesson before it is completed, either click on "Exit Course" on the top right of the screen, or simply close the window. Your progress should be saved automatically.
  Within the Microlesson, there will be a series of questions and activities throughout the lesson. These questions and activities are designed to help you learn and are not meant to be evaluations.
Final Exam

Click here to start Final Examination
- Graded Quiz: Applying a Child-Centered Approach to Humanitarian Action
  Restricted Not available unless:
  The activity Microlesson 1 - Introduction to Child-Centered Approaches is marked complete
  The activity Microlesson 2 - Understanding the Best Interests of the Child is marked complete
  The activity Microlesson 3 - Child Participation in Humanitarian Action is marked complete
  The activity Microlesson 4 - Child Protection Minimum Standards is marked complete
Course and Self Evaluation

Thank you for trusting us with your learning journey. Feel free to join the other courses that make up our Foundations of Humanitarian Action Program to continue learning. In this section, you can provide feedback about this course to help us make NextGenU.org better. Once evaluations are completed, you will be able to receive your badge.
If you have completed all 12 courses in this program, you may proceed to obtain your Final Program Certificate. You will need to take one short quiz (12 questions) and pass with a score of 75% or higher to be awarded the Final Program Certificate for Foundations of Humanitarian Action, Part 1. Click here to earn your Final Program Certificate

Click here give your feedback
- Course Evaluation Questionnaire
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Graded Quiz: Applying a Child-Centered Approach to Humanitarian Action is marked complete
- Self Evaluation Questionnaire
  Restricted Not available unless: The activity Graded Quiz: Applying a Child-Centered Approach to Humanitarian Action is marked complete

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources

Activities

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources

Activities

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources

Activities

Student Learning Outcomes:

Required Learning Resources

Activities