Flag

We stand with Ukraine and our team members from Ukraine. Here are ways you can help

Get exclusive access to thought-provoking articles, bonus podcast content, and cutting-edge whitepapers. Become a member of the UX Magazine community today!

Home ›› Business Value and ROI ›› 6 Key Questions to Guide International UX Research ›› Building a Rapport with Kids for User Testing

Building a Rapport with Kids for User Testing

by Nick Shim
3 min read
Share this post on
Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Save

By mitigating the feeling in users of being watched and judged, you can get better data from testing sessions—especially when working with kids.

Design processes often include regular play testing sessions to better understand how users respond to a product at varying stages of development. It’s a familiar situation for researchers, but testing participants come into something of a foreign land, where strangers are watching their every move. For this reason, the simple subtleties of rapport building are often the secret ingredient to getting great data.

The goal of rapport building is to mitigate the feeling of being watched and judged so that test subjects feel comfortable enough to play games or try an app as they normally would. In essence, the challenge is creating a testing environment where users can openly say: “This is stupid!” This challenge takes on new dynamics when your test subjects are kids. I work at Sago Sago Toys where we build interactive apps for preschoolers and some of the measures we take to create a comfortable space for our young users can be just as helpful when testing with adults.

The challenge is creating a testing environment where users can openly say: “This is stupid!”

Here are some of the things that we’ve found to be particularly effective:

Be a Good Mimic

Generally, people will respond better to those who are similar to them. Simple things like mimicking body gestures make you more amicable to your conversation partner (see: Chameleon Effect). When testing, I try to match a kid’s energy, body language, and even verbal language. If they use the term “granola face,” better believe that I’m using it too!

Dress the Part

How we are dressed impacts how we are perceived. Remember this is about rapport building because you want to be perceived as a friend. If you are wearing a suit, the participant might feel a need to qualify him or herself to you and would filter out the “dumb” comments. A friend will be more likely to get the unfiltered version of a subject’s reaction. Clearly, that’s what we are after and sometimes, I’ll even wear clothes that elicit conversation. I’ll wear bright hats, robot t-shirts, or even stickers on my hands; stuff they can identify with and makes me part of their wolf pack.

They’re Batman, You’re Robin

Allowing the subject to run the show is central to successful user testing. Being encouraging is fine, but driving while they watch is a waste of time. To give them the confidence to take the wheel, you want to ensure that they are the alpha, the one in charge. To this point, I try to sit in a position of submission, relaxed, and either lower than them, or sitting on my hands (see: Dominance and Deference in Pantomime). If I tower over them, I’m all of a sudden an authority figure. They’ll ask for help, or seek approval more than they would otherwise.

Win Over the Ones They Trust

Ample research suggests that gaining approval—especially from the people your subjects trust—helps ease them into participation. Parents are the gatekeepers to the digital content that kids digest, so obviously it’s important for them to feel at ease. A secondary objective, however, is to garner a kid’s trust, by demonstrating social acceptance by their parent or guardian.

Don’t Talk Shop

Probably the most important point: Don’t put them to sleep talking about how your product was conceived and designed. Spend 10 minutes talking about the butterfly they saw or the pizza they ate for dinner. Make a connection, find commonalities, and don’t treat them like lab rats. Informal conversations help immensely with building a rapport, which can lead to fantastic insights.

Bill Cosby had it right all along, kids say the darndest things; they just need to be comfortable enough to open up.

 

Image of adult in superhero costume courtesy Shutterstock.

post authorNick Shim

Nick Shim

Nick Shim (@nim342) is a researcher and engineer from Sago Sago Toys, working on titles such as Sago Mini Pet Cafe and Monsters. He holds a M.Sc. in Human Computer Interaction from the University of Toronto and leads Sago's research with kids and parents. Nick is an experienced usability tester who has worked with gamers as young as 2 and as seasoned as 86. Prior to joining Sago he worked at Electronic Arts as a software engineer, developing console games for the NBA Live and FIFA franchises.

Tweet
Share
Post
Share
Email
Print

Related Articles

Struggling with PowerPoint’s design limitations? This step-by-step guide shows you how to build systematic design solutions, from mastering slide layouts to using sticker sheets for patterns. Learn to create polished, professional presentations with smart workarounds and helpful tips.

Article by Jim Gulsen
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a “Design System” in PowerPoint
  • The article gives a step-by-step guide to building systematic patterns in PowerPoint. It talks about the program’s limitations and gives essential tips like mastering slide layouts and customizing text settings.
  • It suggests using PowerPoint’s automated features carefully and advocating for manual workarounds to elevate quality.
  • The piece introduces creating sticker sheets for reusable design components and highlights strategies for successful workflows.
Share:A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a “Design System” in PowerPoint
5 min read

Publishing in HCI and design research can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers. This guide breaks down the process — from choosing the right venue to writing, submitting, and handling revisions. Whether you’re aiming for conferences or journals, learn key strategies to navigate academic publishing with confidence.

Article by Malak Sadek
A Guide to Publishing Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design Research Papers
  • The article provides a guide to publishing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and design research, sharing insights from the author’s PhD experience.
  • It explains the significance of publishing in academia and industry, offering an overview of peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
  • It breaks down the two main types of papers — review and empirical — detailing their structures and acceptance criteria.
  • The piece emphasizes strategic research planning, collaboration, and selecting the right venue for submission.
  • The piece also outlines practical steps for writing, revising, and handling rejections, encouraging persistence and learning from reviewer feedback to improve publication success.
Share:A Guide to Publishing Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Design Research Papers
8 min read

Accessibility isn’t just about compliance — it’s about inclusion. A deaf developer shares what UX designers need to know to create better experiences.

Article by Tamara Sredojevic
Designing for Deaf Users
  • The article talks about a deaf developer who shares insights on digital barriers, assistive tech, and inclusive design.
  • It presents a candid conversation on UX challenges, assistive technology, and advocating for better accessibility.
  • The piece dives into the challenges and solutions for creating truly accessible experiences.
Share:Designing for Deaf Users
11 min read

Join the UX Magazine community!

Stay informed with exclusive content on the intersection of UX, AI agents, and agentic automation—essential reading for future-focused professionals.

Hello!

You're officially a member of the UX Magazine Community.
We're excited to have you with us!

Thank you!

To begin viewing member content, please verify your email.

Tell us about you. Enroll in the course.

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Check our privacy policy and