Did you know that International Children’s Day was first declared at the World Conference on Child Rights in Geneva in 1924? It was the 1st international document promoting child rights, & a stepping stone towards contemporary protection of children’s rights.

Some of the content in the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child include:

• The child must be given the necessary support for his or her natural growth, both materially and spiritually.
• The child who is starving must be fed, the child who is ill must be nursed, the child who is disadvantaged must be helped, the delinquent child must be recovered, and the orphan and the waif must be sheltered and protected.
• The child must be the first to be relieved in times of distress.
• The child must be in a position to make a living and must be secured from all kinds of exploitation.
• The child must be raised up with the knowledge that his energies must be committed to the service of his fellow people.

Children’s Day in Malaysia is usually held on the last Saturday of October. Nowadays, it is commonly celebrated on 20th November in accordance to International Children’s Day. It is a fun day with a serious message and offers us an opportunity to promote and celebrate children’s rights that will build a better world for them.

DID YOU KNOW?
The International Children’s Day was first declared at the World Conference on Child Rights in Geneva.

On this special day, let’s remind ourselves on some of the steps that we can take as parents for the well being of these future builders.

• Take an active role in your child’s physical and mental wellbeing.
• Educate and improve their discipline with a positive and encouraging attitude.
• Communication openly to support 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.
• Educate ourselves on diet and nutrition to enhance the kids’ physical and mental performance.
• Help our children know their rights.

The blue colour is the symbol for children’s rights on Children’s Day. You can show your support by turning blue on 20th November. For example:

• Wear a blue dress or shirt.
• Wear a blue ribbon around your wrist.
• Wear a blue cap on this day.
• Change your profile picture to blue on social media platforms.