child-led
|child-led|
/ˈtʃaɪldˌlɛd/
led by children
Etymology
'child-led' originates from Modern English, formed by compounding the noun 'child' and the past-participle/participle adjective 'led' (from the verb 'lead'); 'child' originally meant 'young person' and 'led' indicates being guided or directed.
'child' comes from Old English 'cild' meaning 'young person'; 'led' is the past participle of 'lead', from Old English 'lǣdan' meaning 'to guide or bring'; the compound pattern noun + past participle (e.g. 'time-served', 'user-led') produced 'child-led' in Modern English usage.
Initially it would have been read literally as 'led by a child' but in contemporary use it has broadened to mean 'initiated by, centered on, or guided by children's choices or perspectives' in educational and organisational contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
directed, guided, or initiated by children — used of activities, projects, or processes where children take the leading role.
The school adopted a child-led approach to learning, letting pupils choose their projects.
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Adjective 2
prioritizing children's choices or perspectives in planning or decision-making (often used in education, playwork, or program design).
The museum runs child-led workshops that put children's ideas at the centre of each session.
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Last updated: 2026/01/06 01:13