Children's Day

Children’s Day is a holiday that is observed by many different countries all over the world on various dates throughout the year. The international holiday called International Children’s Day was proclaimed during the World Conference on Child Welfare in Geneva in 1925. World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children.

From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future.

Every Children’s Day, should be important so that the world listens to their ideas and demands.

The History Of Children’s Day

If you really want to trace back the history of Children’s Day, you have to go back over 164-years ago. This is when Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard began children’s day on the Second Sunday in June of 1857 in Chelsea, Massachusetts.

It involved a special service dedicated to addressing the needs of children. This day was initially Rose Day, and then it became known as Flower Day. Eventually, it would be called the name by which it’s called today, Children’s Day.

As the years went by, Children’s Day began to be celebrated by other people around the world. It was celebrated in Turkey starting in 1920, and it was made a national holiday in 1929. In 1954, the United Nations established this as a worldwide holiday by establishing Universal Children’s Day. In 1959, the U.S adopted an extended form of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

In the mid-1990s, U.S President Bill Clinton proclaimed October 8th as Children’s Day. In 2001, the U.S President declared that the first Sunday in June by called National Children’s Day. As such, this is a holiday that actually can be observed on October 8, the second Sunday in June, or on November 20th.

But those aren’t the only days on which this holiday is celebrated in some countries. For example, it’s celebrated on the last Sunday in May in Hungary, and in Norway, it’s celebrated on May 17th. In Austria and Germany, it’s celebrated on September 20th. In Portugal it is celebrated on June 1st and in Brazil on October 12th!

Declaration of the Rights of the Child

On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Below are some of the bullet points taken from that document:

- Every child must be given what they need for normal development.

- If the child is hungry, they must be fed. If the child is sick, they must be nursed.

- If the child is a delinquent, they must be reclaimed. If the child is an orphan, they must be sheltered.

- Children must be first to receive relief in times of distress.

- The child must be protected against all forms of exploitation.

Observing Children’s Day

Children’s Day can be observed by spending time with your children and grandchildren. It’s a good time to start new traditions with them, to tell them stories about the family’s history, and to teach them a new life skill they can take forward in life.

There are some suggestions for both parents and teachers to promote children’s well-being on this special day. Here are a few, for you to check on your future builders:

- Parents should take an active role in their child’s physical and mental well-being.

- Educate and improve their discipline with a positive and encouraging attitude.

- Parents’ positive contribution to a child’s learning is directly connected with improved abilities in their offspring.

- Parenting communication style openly impacts the overall performance of the offspring. The contributing style towards offspring results in strong development and continuous improvement of children.

- Appreciate the ideas of your child and consider his feelings. This attitude makes your child relaxed and develops a strong relationship with him.

- Spend time with your child regularly based on structured activities and events.

- Enquire your child about his problems in education, resources or daily routine and try to solve those issues.

- Diet and nutrition experts should add their valuable knowledge of healthy foods. It will enhance the kids’ physical and mental performance.

All these activities can help children to recover faster from strenuous conditions.

On Children’s Day we should empower our kids to stand up for a more equal, inclusive world. What will you do?