Seasonal Calendars

When to use Seasonal Calendars

Use this method when you need to understand community perceptions of time-related variations in key indicators, such as weather patterns, food security, or labor demands, especially when planning interventions or evaluating their impact.

What it solves

Lack of shared understanding of seasonal changes and their impact on community life; difficulty in identifying critical periods for intervention.

How to run Seasonal Calendars, step by step

1. Introduce the concept of seasonal calendars and explain its purpose. (5 minutes)
2. Define the time period (e.g., a year) and key indicators (e.g., rainfall, crop yield, labor demand) to be included in the calendar. (15 minutes)
3. Facilitate the creation of the calendar, either as a table or a circular representation, using symbols or quantitative data (e.g., distributing stones to represent relative levels). (45 minutes)
4. Guide a discussion to analyze the patterns and relationships revealed by the calendar, and identify key insights and implications. (30 minutes)
5. Document the calendar and discussion notes for future reference and use in planning or evaluation. (15 minutes)

Materials needed

• Large paper or whiteboard
• Markers or pens
• Stones or other objects for quantitative representation (optional)
• Digital whiteboard platform (for hybrid sessions)

Facilitator tips

• Encourage participation from all group members, especially those who may be less vocal.
• Use clear and simple language to explain the process.
• Be mindful of cultural differences in how people perceive and represent time.

Common pitfalls

• Participants may rely on memory, which can be inaccurate or biased.
• The calendar may not capture the complexity of real-world situations.
• Supplement the calendar with other data sources, such as meteorological records or direct measurements.

Variations

• Create separate calendars for different groups (e.g., men, women, youth) to compare their perspectives.
• Use a historical timeline to analyze changes over longer periods of time.
• Combine seasonal calendars with other participatory methods, such as focus group discussions.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to create a collaborative calendar. Ensure all participants have access and are comfortable using the platform.

What it produces

A visual calendar (linear or circular) representing the seasonal variations of key indicators, along with notes from the group discussion.

Origin

Adapted from BetterEvaluation.org — source

Build a session around Seasonal Calendars

METODIC places Seasonal Calendars inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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