November 20, 2021
November 20th is National Child Day!
Children have rights. Survival rights, developmental rights, protection rights, and participation rights (Children First Canada, 2021). Providing children with opportunities to be heard, protecting them from harm, and ensuring their basic needs are met (Government of Canada, 2021), are all essential to enhancing their lifelong well-being.
Children are capable of so much more than they are often given credit for. As adults, it is our responsibility to ensure we listen to them and empower them. We need to protect and advocate for children’s rights. There is so much we can learn from children.
Here are some excellent resources for National Child Day, 2021:
National Child Day – Children First Canada
Learn more about what National Child Day is.
National Child Day Blog – Children First Canada
Read and watch videos about the rights of children in Canada.
Child-Friendly Version of the UNCRC – Children First Canada
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted on November 20, 1989. This highlights 54 rights of all children.
Promoting Reconciliation – Children First Canada
This year is focused on recognizing the unique rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children. “This National Child Day, walk the path of reconciliation by amplifying the voices of Indigenous youth and youth-serving organizations” (Children First Canada, 2021). Above is some information on a few youth-led organizations in Canada.
In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission announced 94 Calls to Action. “These are 94 activities all governments, courts, businesses, schools, and people living in Canada can do to help fix the mistakes of the past and present so that all children – including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children – can grow up happy, healthy, safe, and proud of who they are” (First Nations Child & Family Caring Society, 2021).
National Child Day – Government of Canada
Learn more about National Child Day in Canada, how to celebrate, and view some resources.
National Child Day Colouring Page – Government of Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada
Check out and print this colouring page for your children!
The Right to a Childhood (Video) – UNICEF Canada
This is a powerful video by UNICEF about all children’s right to a childhood.
National Child Day: Understanding Children’s Rights in Canada (Video) – CBC Kids News
What is National Child Day and what are the rights of children?
This inspiring video highlights some outstanding accomplishments of children. It shows us what children are truly capable of when they are given a voice and their rights are protected.