National Child Day 2009
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20 years of child rights
Camosun’s Early Childhood Care & Education students take action
November 20 is National Child Day, and students in Camosun’s Early Childhood Care & Education program want to make sure you know about it. They will be hosting a day of action on Tuesday, November 17 to build awareness of the fundamental rights of all children: the right to be protected; to have housing, food and clothing; and to be treated with dignity and respect.
“As adults, we are responsible to ensure children have the basic necessities of life, are protected from harm and have positive early childhood opportunities. Children are citizens within their community and citizens within our society,” says instructor Joan Astren. “Camosun’s Early Childhood Education and Care students are learning the importance of their emerging role to advocate on behalf of children, and the importance of their profession.
National Child Day background
Twenty years ago, on November 20, 1989, The United Nations General Assembly adopted The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Canada joined 190 other countries to sign and ratify the Convention document, and, by act of Parliament, declared each November 20 to be National Child Day. The purpose of Child Day is to promote awareness about the Convention to Canadians.
ECCE Child Day awareness activities at Camosun
The Early Childhood Care and Education students at Camosun's Lansdowne Campus will be raising awareness of Child Day in many ways. Plans include interactive play dough sessions at Lansdowne, handing out blue ribbons with Child Day messages, hosting a table outside the Fisher building on Tuesday, offering information about this day and reading stories to children. “These are all important in bringing our responsibility to children to the forefront,” emphasizes Astren.
Advocating for children—Child Day posters
ECCE students learn that advocating for children is an important role for early childhood educators. A recent class project for first year students was to create posters that build awareness about National Child Day. These posters will be on display at Lansdowne Campus up until November 20.
Students will also display Child Day posters around Lansdowne Campus.
How you can help
Camosun’s ECCE department encourages you to recognize National Child Day, too, celebrating the children in your life and educating your friends, family and children about child rights. You can also voice your concerns about violations of those rights to your local Member of Parliament.
Last updated: November 12, 2009 10:03 am
