By Nancy Saraiva
At this time of year, malls are bustling with people on the hunt for the most talked about toy and the television is screaming out ads to buy, buy and buy some more, promising to put a smile on a child’s face. Though gift giving is an integral part of this time of year, it’s also a great time to focus on the real needs of a child as celebrated on the annual National Day of the Child, November 20th.
The day is designated to pay tribute to Canada’s commitment to children, promote children’s initiatives across the country and encourage child-related organizations to raise awareness of child rights. Based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the New Westminster Community Project, Understanding the Early Years (UEY), developed a Children’s Charter to support families in respecting specific rights for a child – the right to healthy development, the right to be safe and the right to participation.
On November 17th, The New Westminster Early and Middle Childhood Development Committees are hosting a family event for children 1-12 years old at Lord Kelvin Elementary School. The event will include storytelling, movement, crafts, face painting and healthy snacks. Local youth trained by Equitas, using the program Play it Fair!, will play games that focus on responsibility, cooperation, inclusion and diversity.
“Play it Fair! is a national program that promotes innovative activities for out of school programming that strengthen children’s core social competencies so that they can grow into confident adolescents and actively contribute to their communities,” says Angie Mapara Osachoff, the BC Regional Programs Coordinator for Equitas. “Follow up work with our community partners have indicated reduced incidents of bullying, physical and verbal abuse and conflicts generally among children in out of school programs,” says Osachoff. With values such as integrity, focus and direction, trust and mutual respect, openness, partnership and innovation combined with a fun atmosphere, children are sure to benefit. To find out more information on Equitas, please visit www.equitas.org.
Celebrate the magical fun-filled stage of life called childhood, escape from the shopping frenzy and join the National Day of the Child celebrations on November 17th. To register for the event email: info@kidsnewwest.ca
