Researchers tested a 14-question survey called the Place Standard Tool for Children (PST-C) with 131 Italian children aged 9 to 12 years. The survey used simple language and a three-point scale—like "not great," "okay," and "great"—to ask children what they thought about their local environment, parks, and streets.
This is the first time scientists have created and validated a tool specifically designed to let children themselves report on their neighbourhood, rather than relying on parents or urban planners to guess what children think.
The tool reliably captures how children see their surroundings
The questionnaire proved dependable and consistent. When researchers checked whether children gave similar answers to similar questions, the scores were strong—meaning the tool actually measures what it's supposed to measure. The Italian translation also matched the original English version very closely, using both professional translators and artificial intelligence to verify the wording.
Most importantly, the tool successfully measured one clear idea: how children perceive the quality of places around them. This matters because it shows the questions aren't confusing children or mixing up different concepts.
Singapore children's voices are often missing from neighbourhood planning
In Singapore, we prioritise children's academic performance and physical safety, but we rarely ask children themselves: Do you feel welcome in public spaces? Is there a good place to play? Do you feel connected to your community? This validated tool opens the door for schools, community centres, and town councils to genuinely listen to children when planning neighbourhoods.
For your family, this research suggests that asking your child structured questions about their neighbourhood—using simple, clear language—can reveal insights you might miss. A child who says "I'm fine" might actually feel unsafe at the void deck, or lonely because there's nowhere to play with friends. This tool shows that children can tell us these things if we ask the right way.
Act on what your child tells you about their neighbourhood
- Ask your child specific questions about their neighbourhood: "Where's the best place to play near home? Where do you feel safest? What would make things better?"
- Listen for repeated patterns in what your child mentions—if they mention crowded playgrounds or nowhere to sit, this tells you what matters to them.
- Share your child's observations with your school or community leaders—their input matters for neighbourhood improvements.