Whether you’re an early childhood educator, a teacher or a parent, a huge part of your life is dedicated to caring for children and celebrating their achievements.
From October 22 – 30, the whole of Australia is encouraged to celebrate children’s rights, talents and abilities during Children’s Week.
A Caring World Shares
Children’s Week has a permanent theme that remains each year: ‘A caring world shares’. What a beautiful sentiment to teach to the children in our care!
In 2016 Children’s Week bases their week of celebrating around an article from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. In 2016 it is Article 17: ‘Children’s right to Reliable Information from the Media’.
Article 17 as written in the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) is:
“You have the right to get information that is important to your well being, from radio, newspaper, books, computers and other sources. Adults should make sure that the information you are getting is not harmful, and help you find and understand the information you need.”
Perhaps you could be inspired by this to talk to the children in your care about the various places they can find information – and that information can be different because there is not always one answer or solution.
We live in a world in which we are bombarded by messages and information. Whether it’s via the TV, radio, internet, tablets, smartphones – the media and information sources are everywhere 24/7.
Resources for Celebrating Children’s Week
To further assist you in your discussions with children, the book ‘Beyond Remote-Controlled Childhood – Teaching Young Children in the Media Age’ is a valuable resource. Click here to read an excerpt of the book on the NAEYC website about how teachers can protect children and promote their development in a media-saturated world.
If you’re up for a song – and you know the team at Bonkers Beat is ALWAYS up for a song! – take a look at the Children’s Week song! It’s a bit long for younger children, but take a verse or two that you really love and try it in your centre. Click here to listen to the song or view/print the lyrics.
Children’s Week is all about children’s rights but also their talents – another way to celebrate might be to encourage children to discover their own special talent and share it with one another. Special talents may be a dance, singing, drawing or even just doing a funny voice! Have fun with it and enjoy celebrating children during Children’s Week – although no doubt you already do that each day.