Childcentric

Childcentric, often written as child-centered or child-centric, is an approach or philosophy that places children's needs, rights, and development at the forefront of decisions, practices, and design. It treats children as active agents with distinct capabilities and rights, rather than passive recipients of adult-directed services. The term is used across education, social policy, design, and planning to emphasize the child’s perspective.

In education, childcentric pedagogy emphasizes inquiry, hands-on learning, and developmentally appropriate practices that align with children's interests and pace. In policy and urban planning, it refers to creating environments and services that are accessible, safe, and welcoming for children—such as walkable neighborhoods, parks, and child-friendly public spaces. In product design and media, it involves designing interfaces, toys, and content with input from children and with attention to safety, privacy, and age suitability.

Critics note that effective childcentric implementation requires balancing children's needs with those of parents, caregivers, and the broader community, as well as with available resources and cultural contexts. Evaluation often involves measures of well-being and engagement alongside more traditional outcomes. While not universally defined, the term signals a normative emphasis on prioritizing children's perspectives in planning and practice.