Children's rights

This aspect of education for citizenship includes activities, discussions and events which explore: 

• children’s own personal rights - for example, to have their basic needs met, to be safe, to express their views and to have the right to play and to have fun
• the rights of other people - for example, that we need to listen to what others have to say and that we need to look after others and make sure they are safe
• the rights of children in other countries - to compare similarities and differences with children across the world. Do all children have their basic needs for food and water and shelter met?

Talking with young children about their rights can seem an abstract idea. Sometimes staff or parents and carers worry that it means children will get the message that they will have things all their own way. If we work with children on their rights it should always include discussion on the responsibilities they have towards others. This idea is reinforced by staff every day when they encourage children to share and co-operate and when they implement the positive behaviour policy ensuring that all children feel safe and secure in the centre.

Much legislation and policy makes reference to children’s rights. The Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000 gives children the right to be consulted, the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 has had a huge impact on services provided for children and young people, and documents such as the National Care Standards are based on the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). So much of the day-to-day practice in your centre shows children that they are important, have the right to voice their opinion and have a responsibility to the other children and adults in the centre and within their community.

Much of the work with children will focus on making them aware of and applying the articles of the UNCRC. A comprehensive and extremely useful report, A Report on Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Scotland, published by the Scottish Government in 2007, details the implementation of the UNCRC in Scotland. This report brings to life how the Convention impacts on children in Scotland and is useful background reading for any practitioner wishing to explore the background to rights in Scotland and links to other legislation.

This colourful leaflet, explaining the key articles of the UNCRC, would be suitable for families and staff members or students.