National Child Day
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About National Child Day
Canada has declared November 20th as National Child Day to celebrate the rights of children. November 20th was chosen as the day to celebrate National Child Day because the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 1989.
By signing onto the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect and have every opportunity to reach their full potential. This commitment includes:
- Providing children opportunities to have a voice (speak out and be heard)
- Protecting children from harm
- Ensuring children's basic needs are met
How to celebrate National Child Day
Celebrating National Child Day is about celebrating children as:
- active participants in their own lives and in their communities
- active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decisions that affect their lives
National Child Day is an excellent opportunity for educators, parents and caregivers to teach children about their rights. Here are some ideas on how to celebrate:
- Organize a learning activity for a group of children or teenagers using the child rights activity guide. Our activity selector tool can help you quickly choose an activity from the guide.
- Print a copy of our National Child Day colouring poster.
- Check out our information posters section to learn more about National Child Day and the UNCRC.
- Explore other resources for educators, parents and caregivers, children and teenagers.
Child rights activity guide
About the Child rights activity guide
The National Child Day Child rights activity guide provides information about National Child Day and step-by-step instructions for various activities that teachers, educators or group leaders can use with a group of children or adolescents. There are also many ideas to inspire children and youth to take action in the sections You have the right to know your rights and Generation Go of the guide.
National Child Day activity selector tool
For help in selecting an activity from the guide that is appropriate for your target age group, use our Activity selector tool.
Posters
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: |
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National Child Day colouring poster (available as PDF only, 350 KB) |
More information
Below you'll find information and links to resources for children, young adults, parents and caregivers, and educators. Choose the tab that concerns you for resources to meet your needs.
For educators
By increasing awareness of children's rights, you can help to promote and improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents in Canada.
You can celebrate and promote the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by engaging children and adolescents in activities and community projects from the National Child Day Child Rights Activity Guide. You may also visit the links below for more resources.
UNICEF Canada: About the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Learn more about the UNCRC, watch videos and access UNICEF's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC.
Children First Canada: National Child Day
Find information about events being planned to celebrate National Child Day and Children First Canada's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC. You can also learn about the Young Canadians' Parliament.
Society for Children and Youth of BC: Child Rights Resources
This website contains resources that are relevant for all Canadians (not only residents of BC) including posters, booklets and printable worksheets for students in kindergarten to grade 7 to complete at school or with their parents.
Canadian Coalition for the Rights of the Child: Resources
Various educational resources including fact sheets introduce some of the basic principles of the UNCRC.
Equitas: Tools for Children
Children's Rights Leadership Cards and a “Play It Fair! Toolkit” for children 6 to 12 and a “Speaking Rights Toolkit” for youth aged 13 to 18.
GlobalChild: Educational cards
Child-friendly cards that were created to help educate children about their human rights.
National Film Board: Child Rights
The following four short films are available to all viewers: An Artist, Ex-Child, Overdose, Every Child. There are also many other videos available only with a subscription to CAMPUS.
Government of Canada: Human Rights
Know your rights as a Canadian citizen, understand how your rights are protected, and learn how to file a complaint if you have been discriminated against. You can also learn about legislation and other conventions that protect the rights of specific communities and groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous People and LGBTI persons.
A Path to Dignity: The Power of Human Rights Education
A 28-minute movie that presents three stories illustrating the impact of human rights education.
International Play Association: The Child's Right to Play
Learn about the importance of play in this video “This is Me: Article 31 and a Child's Right to Play” and this poster which provides an overview of Article 31 (The right to play).
Teaching Human Rights: Practical activities for primary and secondary schools (PDF)
A guide book created by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for teachers and other educators which includes learning activities for primary and secondary school children.
Alberta National Child Day Coalition
This website has useful information for educators across Canada, not only in Alberta. Check out a video featuring a rap song about child rights, access resources and toolkits, learn about how and why National Child Day is celebrated, and see a list of events happening this year!
Canadian Child Care Federation: Child Rights
A blog series related to child rights, including an article on how to celebrate National Child Day, and an article on behaviours that demonstrate respect for the rights of children.
Tips for Adults on Engaging Youth through Social Media
Check out these tips developed by youth via The Students Commission of Canada.
UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child videos (hosted on YouTube)
A series of videos depicting some of the rights set out in the UN Convention of the Rights of a Child.
UNICEF Australia: Learn About Child's Rights
UNICEF Australia webpage with an overview on the rights of children. Check out the opening video titled: What are Child's Rights?
UNICEF UK: We All Got Rights
An animated music video by children in the UK about child rights.
For children
As a child under the age of 18, you have special rights, and these rights are protected by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Your rights include:
- to be protected: from abuse, neglect and exploitation
- to basic care: such as having food and shelter
- to be heard: to participate in decisions that affect you
- to know and understand your rights!
Canada agreed to the UNCRC in 1991 and is responsible to inform children about their rights. In the UNCRC, there is a full list of rights for all children under the age of 18. The UNCRC exists to help you have a happy childhood and help you grow up to be your best.
Check out our posters section to learn more about your rights. You can also check out the “You have the Right to Know Your Rights” section of the National Child Day Child Rights Activity Guide for ideas on how you can be a child rights leader.
There is more information and activities in the links below. You can start by visiting Zoe and Molly to learn about how to safely explore the internet. This website includes games and activities to learn about online safety. This website is hosted by the Canadian Center for Child Protection.
UNICEF Canada: About the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Learn more about the UNCRC, watch videos and access UNICEF's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC.
Children's First Canada: National Child Day
Find information about events being planned to celebrate National Child Day and access Children First Canada's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC. You can also learn about the Young Canadians' Parliament.
Government of Canada: Information on family violence for children and youth
Government of Canada website for children and youth to learn what family violence is and how to get help.
UNICEF Australia: Learn About Child's Rights
UNICEF Australia webpage with an overview on the rights of children. Check out the opening video titled: What are Child's Rights?
UNICEF UK: We All Got Rights
An animated music video by children in the UK about child rights.
International Play Association: The Child's Right to Play
Learn about the importance of play in this video “This is Me: Article 31 and a Child's Right to Play” and this poster which provides an overview of Article 31 (The right to play).
For teenagers
Knowing your rights is powerful and can help you create the changes you want to see in your school, your community, your country and the world! By knowing and practicing your rights, you can make a difference. Take the time to get to know your rights, and make your voice heard!
Check out the Generation Go section of the National Child Day Child Rights Activity Guide for ideas on how you can be a child rights activist. Also check out the links below to learn more about your rights and for ideas on how you can make a difference:
UNICEF Canada: About the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Learn more about the UNCRC, watch videos and access UNICEF's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC. Learn about how you can get involved in celebrating National Child Day with UNICEF's One Youth initiative.
Children First Canada: National Child Day
Find information about events being planned to celebrate National Child Day and access Children First Canada's printable colourful child-friendly version of the UNCRC. You can also learn about the Young Canadians' Parliament.
United Nations Youth
The United Nations Focal Point on Youth aims to build an awareness of the global situation of young people, as well as promote their rights and aspirations.
UNICEF International: Voices of Youth
This digital community allows youth to share blogs, illustrations, poems and other forms of creativity relating to human rights and related topics including health, education, diversity and the environment.
Taking it Global: Human Rights
Videos to learn about child rights and blog posts about ways Taking It Global are involving youth on issues related to rights.
Government of Canada: Human Rights
Know your rights as a Canadian citizen, understand how your rights are protected, and learn how to file a complaint if you have been discriminated against. You can also learn about legislation and other conventions that protect the rights of specific communities and groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous People and LGBTI persons.
A Path to Dignity: The Power of Human Rights Education
A 28-minute movie that presents three stories illustrating the impact of human rights education.
Plan Canada
Check out the Youth Opportunities and for ideas on how to become “an agent of change” for children's rights and equality for girls. Also, check out Because I am a Girl for information on human rights issues affecting girls.
Government of Canada: Information on family violence for children and youth
Government of Canada website for children and youth to learn what family violence is and how to get help.
Government of Canada: Cyberbullying information for teens
Information on what is cyberbullying, how to prevent it, and what to do if it happens.
Government of Canada: Get Cyber Safe
National public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online.
International Play Association: The Child's Right to Play
Learn about the importance of play in this video “This is Me: Article 31 and a Child's Right to Play” and this poster which provides an overview of Article 31 (The right to play).
For parents and caregivers
As a parent, you play an important role in the healthy development of your child. You have the main responsibility to raise your child and as such, it is important for you to understand your child's rights. A great place to start is to check out our posters section and talk about them with your child.
The activity A Child's Rights and Wants in the National Child Day Child Rights activity guide (page 7 of the PDF) is a great way to engage your child in a discussion about their rights. You can also encourage your child to check out the “You Have the Right to Know Your Rights" and “Generation Go” sections of the guide to learn more about their rights and for inspiration on how to become child rights leaders.
You may also visit the links below for more resources to help you and your child learn about child rights
UNICEF Canada: About the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Learn more about the UNCRC, watch videos and access UNICEF's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC.
Children First Canada: National Child Day
Find information about events being planned to celebrate National Child Day and access Children First Canada's colourful printable child-friendly version of the UNCRC.
Government of Canada: Human Rights
Know your rights as a Canadian citizen, understand how your rights are protected, and learn how to file a complaint if you have been discriminated against. You can also learn about legislation and other conventions that protect the rights of specific communities and groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous People and LGBTI persons.
Society for Children and Youth of BC: Child Rights Resources
This website contains information that is relevant or all Canadians, not only BC residents. You will find “Your Child's Rights: Parents Frequently Asked Questions” (PDF) and child rights homework assignments that support the family in discussing child rights issues such as your child's wants and needs, and the right to play. There is also a resource to support you in creating a Home Charter.
International Play Association: The Child's Right to Play
Learn about the importance of play in this video “This is Me: Article 31 and a Child's Right to Play” and this poster which provides an overview of Article 31 (The right to play).
Government of Canada: Healthy Living
Information about a variety of topics to keep your children safe and healthy.
Government of Canada: Youth Justice
Learn about the Youth Criminal Justice Act, which provides the legislative framework for a fairer and more effective youth justice system.
Government of Canada: Family Law
Information for families experiencing separation and divorce, including how decisions about parenting after divorce must take into account the best interests of a child and a Child's Views and Preferences. For resources to support children affected by separation or divorce, see What Happens Next: Information for kids about separation and divorce and Because life goes on … helping children and youth live with separation and divorce.
Government of Canada: Cyberbullying information for parents
Information on what is cyberbullying, how to prevent it, and what to do if it happens.
Government of Canada: Get Cyber Safe
National public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection: Protect Kids Online
Learn how to keep your children safe online and teach them about internet safety.
Tips for Adults on Engaging Youth through Social Media
Check out these tips developed by youth via The Students Commission of Canada.
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