- Children’s Day was established in 2000 and is supported
by government and non government agencies with the vision that children must be celebrated,
nurtured and treasured by all.
- In New Zealand, Sunday 7 March 2010 marks the
10th annual Children’s Day - however schools may celebrate Children's Day at any time
that is convenient for them and their community - it is the universal message which
is important.
- Children’s Day is about celebrating children in positive
ways. It is an opportunity for schools and their communities to celebrate and appreciate
children, have fun with them and start new traditions as well as continuing old ones,
which will benefit children and families.
Children’s Day Themes
Five key messages/themes make up the Children’s Day
Charter:
- Giving time
- Love and affection
- Praise and encouragement
- Listening and talking
- New experiences
Children’s Day is for Everyone
Talk about why we have Children’s Day with the class. Why do we celebrate it every
year? Why is celebrating children important?
Make a large wall chart of all class ideas about why
Children’s Day is special to them.
Introduce the five key messages (above) that make
up the Children’s Day Charter. Ask class members how they feel when a family member:
eg
- - listens to them and talks to them
- gives them praise and encouragement
Why is giving time and new experiences to children
important ?
How important do they think it is for them to also
do or show the same things to other family members.
Brainstorm and make a list of times when they could do this, eg
- - giving praise when Dad has fixed something in the
home
- showing an interest in the activities of family members
Involve Your School Community
The school and local community must own and fully
support the concept of Children’s Day. Set up a committee of parents and students
to plan community and family activities.
The next task is to make sure the school community
are aware of Children’s Day - the date chosen and it's purpose and the activities.
Involve all the children in publicity drives including:
posters, flyers, talking to the press, the school web site, letters home …
The school is a natural community focus and many events
can be scheduled to take place at the school prior to and during Children’s Day or
it can be used as a meeting place for a major combined community event.
Children's Day Programme Ideas
- hobbies and DIY demonstrations at school by parents
- as a family, make and fly your own kites
- have a community BBQ at school or in a local park
- run an ‘all ages’ talent quest and/or concert
- go for a community walk or bike ride concluding with
a picnic
- celebrate ethnic backgrounds with a shared meal
- teach children games parents used to play at school
- run a family tabloid sports afternoon
- have a family day where no technology is used
- create a new family tradition for Children’s Day
such as going to the beach
- planting shrubs and trees at school or in the local
community
- clean up the litter from your school, street, property
…
- combine all family members and act out a play together
- have a school feast
- paint a family members portrait/take a photo and
have a community display
- Visit the Children’s Day website to find out what is happening in your area.
website: www.childrensday.org.nz
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