Rights Of The Child
In Their Own Words
Created through children’s exploration of identity, this work reflects their ideas, experiences, and understanding of what it means to have rights.
rights of the child
I, You, and We Have The Right To...
To Play & Imagine
- …play.
- …invent things and make things.
- …use lots and lots of glue.
- …make beautiful art.
- …decorate our stuffies if we want to.
- …pretend to be kitties or babies or dragons or anything.
- …build things, all sorts of things, even pretend things that nobody heard of.
To Feel, Connect & Belong
- …have friends.
- …get hugs and give hugs.
- …share your news at meetings in school or at home with your family.
- …feel all the feelings, like love or surprise or sad or even angry.
- …say yes, or no, or say maybe, if we’re not sure.
- …say if you want to play with somebody or if you don’t.
- …ask for help and get help.
- …tell people what we like and also what we don’t like so they know about us.
- …say what is our silly idea or important idea and have grown-ups listen to us.
- …ask someone that wants space to move away from us.
- …get lots of cuddles and even some medicine if you’re sick.
To Explore & Experience the World
- …go on walks in the city.
- …go to the library and get books we want to read, not just what adults say to get.
- …collect sticks but not pull them off from a live tree.
- …go close to campfires but not too close.
- …put plants in new pots carefully.
- …learn about the whole world.
- …pick out yummy treats at the grocery store like cupcakes or chocolate.
To Try, Do & Grow
- …be strong and brave.
- …cut with scissors.
- …do important stuff like take care of materials all by ourself.
- …use a knife sometimes at home if we know how to.
- …use sharp nails and real tools if your adult is near you and you practice a lot.
- …be very loud when we’re outside and only sometimes inside.
- …figure stuff out all by yourself or with a team.
- …try hard things and make mistakes.
- …eat good foods to have energy and for growing, too.
- …wear comfy pajamas in the daytimes if we want.
- …grow up to be scientists or teachers or even illustrators, anything we want.
- …learn how to be good human people.