World Children’s Day 2024- Celebrating child rights with A Minute of Loudness
World Children’s Day, held on 20 November each year, commemorates the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year, as we celebrate the 35th anniversary, we reflect on the importance of these rights in every child’s life.
Article 12 of the Convention states that children have the right to express their views on matters that affect them—a principle we embrace wholeheartedly. To encourage this, UNICEF Australia has introduced A Minute of Loudness, a special activity inviting children to speak up about issues that matter to them. Our World Children’s Day activities are designed to support this initiative, empowering young voices to be heard, celebrated, and respected. By providing children with a platform to share their ideas and perspectives, we foster confidence, self-expression, and a deeper understanding of their rights. Through A Minute of Loudness, let’s amplify the voices of children everywhere, encouraging a future where every child feels valued and empowered.
"Voice in the Wind" – Messages on the Breeze
Age: Birth-3
Materials:
Colourful wind socks or fabric strips
Lightweight bells or soft chimes
Small handheld shakers
Instructions:
Take the children to an outdoor area where there is a gentle breeze.
Attach colourful fabric strips or wind socks to a low branch where they can watch them flutter.
Give each child a small shaker or soft chime and encourage them to shake it, feeling the breeze and hearing their sounds in the open air.
Gently talk to them about “sharing their voices” with nature as they watch and listen to the wind and sounds they make.
EYLF Outcome: 2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment. (Children experience the beauty of nature and learn to connect their presence and sounds with the world around them).
VEYLDF Outcome: Wellbeing – Children develop a strong sense of social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. (Through gentle sound-making, children feel calm and connected to their environment).
"Shout Out to the Sky" – Flags for Fairness
Age: 3-5
Materials:
Small white or coloured fabric squares
Fabric markers or paint for decorating
Yarn or string to hang the flags outdoors
Instructions:
Start with a discussion about how each child’s voice is important and how today is a special day for children to share what matters to them.
Give each child a fabric square and encourage them to draw or paint something that makes them happy or something they think all children should have (like love, friends, or a safe place to play).
Once dry, attach their decorated flags to a string or yarn and hang it along a fence or tree to create a “Flags for Fairness” display.
Gather in a circle near the flags and encourage the children to shout out words like “Fairness!” or “We Matter!” to celebrate their creations.
QKLG Outcome: Connectedness – Showing respect for diversity. (Children express their unique ideas and see them displayed alongside others, fostering respect and connection).
VEYLDF Outcome: Community – Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities. (Through group work and display, children feel part of a community, understanding their voice has a place).
"Our Rights Rock!" – Rock Messages for Future Generations
Age: 5-8
Materials:
Flat rocks for painting or writing
Outdoor-friendly markers or paint pens
Clear outdoor varnish to protect the artwork
Instructions:
Bring children outside and discuss the idea of leaving a lasting message. Explain that their voices and ideas are valuable for all children in the future.
Invite each child to decorate a rock with a message, symbol, or word that represents something they think every child should have, like “Love,” “Safety,” or “Play.”
Once finished, cover the rocks with a protective varnish and place them in a special “Rights Garden” or in a visible outdoor area.
Conclude by having each child present their rock and share why they chose their message, creating a shared experience that celebrates their voices.
MTOP Outcome: 3.1 Children and young people become strong in their social, emotional, and mental wellbeing. (Through expressing ideas in a permanent form, children gain confidence in their voice’s impact).
VEYLDF Outcome: Identity – Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities. (They see the importance of their voices by creating lasting messages that will be seen by others).
Early Childhood Theorist Link: Maria Montessori – Empowering Children’s Independence and Expression
Montessori’s emphasis on self-directed learning aligns with these activities by encouraging children to explore their voices in a meaningful way, respecting their choices, and fostering independence.
Extension Ideas:
Birth-3: Add wind chimes at different heights around the outdoor area to encourage babies and toddlers to explore different sounds as they move around.
3-5: Create a “Friendship Fence” where children can tie colourful fabric strips or add drawings, representing friendship and belonging.
5-8: Set up a “Trail of Rights” where children can create stepping stones with positive words and symbols, leading to their “Rights Rock Garden.”
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"The Colours of Me" – Painting Our Rights
Age: Birth-3
Materials:
Large canvas or butcher paper taped to the floor (outdoors or indoors)
Non-toxic finger paints in various bright colours
Sponges or textured cloths for additional sensory options
Instructions:
Lay out the canvas or butcher paper on the floor and invite the children to explore the paints using their hands, fingers, or sponges.
Guide them to make handprints or finger trails on the paper, representing their “mark” on the world.
Use simple language like “This is your space to show who you are,” emphasising their freedom to express themselves.
At the end, let each child point to their creation as you say their name, showing how each individual is part of the collective artwork.
EYLF Outcome: 1.3 Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities. (Children use sensory experiences to explore their individual identity and see themselves as part of a supportive environment).
VEYLDF Outcome: Identity – Children feel safe, secure, and supported. (This sensory art experience builds confidence and self-expression in a safe, engaging environment).
"Texture Wall" – Exploring Rights with Touch and Feel
Age: 3-5
Materials:
Large poster board or plywood
Various textured materials (feathers, sandpaper, silk, fabric scraps, and bubble wrap)
Sticky dots or glue to attach materials to the board
Instructions:
Arrange textured materials on a large board and introduce it as the “Texture Wall,” a place to explore the different feelings and sensations that represent each child’s unique qualities and needs.
Encourage children to touch each texture, describing how it feels and asking questions like “What does this remind you of?” or “How does it make you feel?”
Introduce words like “safe,” “happy,” or “calm” as they explore, connecting each texture to emotions or rights that they deserve.
Let each child pick a favourite texture and explain why they like it, reinforcing that their voice and preferences matter.
QKLG Outcome: Wellbeing – Building a sense of autonomy. (Children make choices and describe their preferences, developing autonomy and confidence).
VEYLDF Outcome: Wellbeing – Children develop a strong sense of social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. (The tactile exploration promotes emotional understanding and sensory awareness).
"Right to Reflect" – Mirror Play and Self-Expression
Age: 5-8
Materials:
Small handheld mirrors or a large standing mirror
Skin-safe face paint crayons
Colourful paper and markers for drawing
Instructions:
Set up a reflective activity with mirrors, allowing children to see themselves clearly as they decorate their faces or hands with face paint crayons.
Encourage them to think about how they feel today and how they would express their rights, like “I have the right to feel strong” or “I have the right to be happy,” and represent this with colours or symbols.
Offer colourful paper for drawing if they prefer, creating a space for self-reflection and artistic expression.
Afterward, gather the group and ask them to share what their decorations mean to them, encouraging discussion about the right to feel safe, happy, and heard.
MTOP Outcome: 1.2 Children and young people develop their autonomy, interdependence, resilience, and agency. (Children build confidence and self-identity through creative expression and sharing).
VEYLDF Outcome: Identity – Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities. (This activity helps children explore their emotions and express their ideas about their rights).
Early Childhood Theorist Link: Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Approach
Rogers’ theory of person-centered support and self-discovery aligns with these activities, encouraging children to explore their individuality, preferences, and rights through hands-on, sensory exploration.
Extension Ideas:
Birth-3: Add gentle, scented lotions or scented water to the paint activity so children can explore light scents along with the colours, stimulating multiple senses.
3-5: Introduce “emotion cards” near the Texture Wall with faces expressing different emotions, helping children connect textures with feelings and better understand their emotions.
5-8: Create a “Rights Reflection Journal” where children can add drawings or descriptions of their mirror reflections, helping them build a personal record of their ideas about rights and self-expression.
These activities allow children to celebrate World Children’s Day by exploring their rights through sensory play, hands-on art, and self-reflection, making it a memorable and empowering experience for each age group.
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"Footprints of Freedom" – Exploring Movement and Expression
Age: Birth-3
Materials:
Butcher paper taped to the ground or a non-slip mat
Non-toxic, washable paint in shallow trays
Sponges and water for cleaning up afterward
Instructions:
Tape butcher paper to the ground, creating a large area where toddlers can safely explore using their feet.
Pour small amounts of non-toxic paint into shallow trays and encourage each child to step in and make footprints on the paper.
Allow children to move freely, creating their unique “footprints of freedom” as they explore different steps and marks.
Talk about how each footprint is special and how every child leaves a unique “mark,” helping them understand the concept of individuality and belonging.
EYLF Outcome: 1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience, and agency. (Through sensory play, children explore autonomy and gain confidence in their physical abilities).
VEYLDF Outcome: Wellbeing – Children develop a strong sense of social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. (This activity promotes freedom of movement and exploration, helping children connect with their own sense of self).
"Nature’s Touch" – A Sensory Rights Exploration
Age: 3-5
Materials:
Textured natural materials (e.g., smooth stones, soft leaves, pine cones, grass)
Small boxes or trays for sorting
Picture cards with simple words like “Safe,” “Happy,” “Loved”
Instructions:
Set up an outdoor table with boxes of various natural items and introduce them as symbols of children’s rights, like feeling safe, happy, and loved.
Allow children to touch and explore each item, encouraging them to describe how it feels (e.g., “soft,” “rough,” “smooth”) and connect it to a feeling or idea.
Use the picture cards to help children match the texture with the feeling it represents (e.g., soft leaves for “safe”).
Encourage them to arrange the items in patterns or designs, allowing them to create a visual expression of how they view their rights and feelings.
QKLG Outcome: Wellbeing – Building a sense of autonomy. (Children use sensory exploration to make connections to positive feelings and concepts).
VEYLDF Outcome: Community – Children respond to diversity with respect. (Children experience the diversity of nature and connect it to their unique feelings and rights).
"The Right to Dream" – Bubble Paint Art
Age: 5-8
Materials:
Bowls of non-toxic paint mixed with a bit of dish soap and water
Straws for blowing bubbles
Large sheet of paper taped to a table or wall outdoors
Instructions:
Set up the activity outdoors, and explain how each child has the “right to dream” and create their own vision.
Let children dip a straw into the paint mixture, blow bubbles, and let the bubbles pop onto the paper, creating vibrant, dream-like patterns.
Ask each child to think of something they wish all children could have, like “a safe home” or “good friends,” and write it on the paper next to their bubble art.
Display the artwork as a “Right to Dream” wall, showing each child’s ideas about what they feel every child deserves.
MTOP Outcome: 4.3 Children and young people transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another. (Children express their thoughts creatively and connect them to their personal ideas about rights).
VEYLDF Outcome: Communication – Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media. (The bubble art lets children visually share their ideas and connect to their rights in a creative way).
Early Childhood Theorist Link: Loris Malaguzzi and the Reggio Emilia Approach
Malaguzzi’s belief in expressive environments and child-led discovery aligns with these activities, allowing children to explore their ideas of rights through sensory play, movement, and creative expression.
Extension Ideas:
Birth-3: Add sensory scarves or cloths near the “Footprints of Freedom” area so children can feel different textures while they explore movement and expression.
3-5: Set up an additional “Nature Wall” with adhesive where children can stick natural items, creating a group artwork that represents their sensory exploration and connection to nature.
5-8: Provide small frames or border paper for each child’s bubble art, allowing them to personalise their “Right to Dream” creation to take home as a reminder of their ideas and rights.
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"The Echo Adventure" – Hear Our Voices in Nature
Age: Birth-3
Materials:
Large cardboard tubes or cones (for creating sound echoes)
Colourful scarves or soft fabrics
Small handheld shakers or chimes
Instructions:
Head outside and gather in a quiet area. Introduce the idea of an “echo” by using cardboard tubes to make voices sound louder or softer.
Gently encourage the children to say simple sounds or their own names into the tube, listening to the echo.
Provide small shakers or chimes to play with, adding joyful noise that feels amplified by nature.
Wave scarves in the air while chanting or singing a simple song together, helping them feel the rhythm of their own voices in an open space.
EYLF Outcome: 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes. (Children explore sounds and their voices, feeling supported to express themselves).
VEYLDF Outcome: Communication – Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes. (This sensory activity helps young children express themselves and explore how their voices make sound in new ways).
"Shout it to the Sky" – A Message of Rights
Age: 3-5
Materials:
Chalk or large whiteboards for drawing ideas
Small wooden sticks with flags or ribbons (for waving)
Lightweight megaphones or sound amplifiers (optional)
Instructions:
Gather children outside and explain how special World Children’s Day is for them to share their voices.
Have each child think of a word or short phrase they want to “shout to the sky” about children’s rights, like “We are safe!” or “We are happy!”
Allow them to take turns using a megaphone or simply shout out loud to the sky, cheering them on for their bravery.
Let children draw their words or phrases with chalk on the pavement, creating a colourful space filled with their ideas.
Finish by waving their flags or ribbons and chanting a phrase together, celebrating their voices as a group.
QKLG Outcome: Communicating – Exploring and expanding language. (Children explore expressing their ideas through words and group chants, building confidence).
VEYLDF Outcome: Communication – Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media. (They explore language and expression in a way that allows them to “make their voices heard”).
"Voice for Change Trail" – Follow the Footsteps of Child Rights Advocates
Age: 5-8
Materials:
Large poster boards for making “footprints of change”
Chalk or markers for creating “rights words” on the pathway
Portable speaker or microphone
Instructions:
Set up an outdoor “Voice for Change Trail” by drawing or placing posters of footprints leading from one end of a pathway to the other.
On each footprint, write a word related to child rights, such as “voice,” “fairness,” “respect,” or “health.”
As children walk the trail, encourage them to read each word out loud, thinking about what it means for children everywhere.
At the end of the trail, invite them to stand on a special “speaker’s platform” where they can use a portable microphone to share one way they think children’s lives could be better.
Record or write down their ideas and display them, showing that every voice contributes to positive change.
MTOP Outcome: 2.1 Children and young people develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities and an understanding of the reciprocal rights and responsibilities necessary as active and informed citizens. (By sharing ideas on how to improve their world, children feel connected to the community and empowered to take action).
VEYLDF Outcome: Community – Children become aware of fairness. (Children engage with ideas about equality, reflecting on the values of fairness and respect for all).
Early Childhood Theorist Link: Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory
Bronfenbrenner’s theory emphasises the impact of environment on development. These outdoor, voice-centered activities connect children with their surroundings and encourage them to see their role in broader social contexts.
Extension Ideas:
Birth-3: Set up a “Listening Tree” with bells and chimes for children to explore sounds and create “echoes” outdoors.
3-5: Create a “Rights Banner” outside, where children can dip their hands in paint and add handprints, symbolising their unique voices in a colourful display.
5-8: Design a “Future Leaders’ Walk” where children place messages or drawings of their dreams for the future on a path, showing their voice as a step toward change.
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"Voices in the Wind" – Celebrating Our Voices Outdoors
Age: Birth-3
Materials:
Lightweight hand-held bells or maracas
Colourful ribbon streamers attached to sticks (wind wands)
Blanket for comfortable outdoor seating
Instructions:
Bring the children outside to a safe, open space, and settle them on a blanket.
Hand each child a bell or maraca, and explain that they’ll be making their voices heard through sound.
Encourage them to shake their bells or maracas, experimenting with loud and soft sounds.
Use the wind wands to let them wave their “voices” into the air, exploring how the ribbons dance in the breeze.
Celebrate their sound and movement, making it a playful, confidence-boosting outdoor experience.
EYLF Outcome: 1.2 Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience, and agency. (Children explore their own sounds in nature, gaining confidence in expressing themselves).
VEYLDF Outcome: Identity – Children develop their emerging autonomy and agency. (Through sound and movement, children are encouraged to explore and celebrate their unique presence).
"The Big Voice Parade" – Shouting for Change!
Age: 3-5
Materials:
Handheld drums and whistles
Chalk for drawing a “parade path” outside
Large paper and markers for creating “Our Rights” signs
Instructions:
Take the children outside, and talk about World Children’s Day and how we’re using our voices for change.
Help them create “Our Rights” signs, encouraging each child to draw something they feel is important.
Guide them along the chalk “parade path” with their instruments, encouraging them to drum, whistle, and chant a simple phrase like “We have a voice!” as they march.
Cheer them on to use their loudest voices, building confidence and joy in self-expression.
Conclude with a group shout-out of something they each love about being a child.
QKLG Outcome: Active Learning – Building positive dispositions towards learning. (Through the fun of a parade, children experience confidence and positivity in sharing their voices).
VEYLDF Outcome: Community – Children develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities. (The parade promotes connection and belonging, making children feel part of something meaningful).
"Outdoor Speakers’ Corner" – Our Voices Matter!
Age: 5-8
Materials:
Megaphone or microphone (optional)
“Speakers’ Corner” sign
Chalk for children to draw ideas or messages on the pavement
Posters with images of famous child activists (e.g., Malala Yousafzai) for inspiration
Instructions:
Set up an outdoor “Speakers’ Corner” with a simple sign and space for each child to speak out.
Introduce the activity by talking about the importance of voices in making change and how even young voices can have big impacts.
Encourage children to come forward and share an idea or cause that they think could make Australia a better place for kids.
Allow them to use a megaphone or microphone to boost their voices, making this a powerful confidence-building experience.
Afterwards, have them draw their ideas on the pavement with chalk, creating a visual “voice” that stays even after the activity ends.
MTOP Outcome: 1.3 Children and young people develop knowledgeable, confident self-identities and a sense of positive self-worth. (By sharing their thoughts publicly, children gain confidence in expressing themselves and see the value in their own ideas).
VEYLDF Outcome: Identity – Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities. (Each child has a chance to speak and be heard, helping to build their confidence and sense of self-worth).
Early Childhood Theorist Link: Albert Bandura – Social Learning Theory
Bandura’s theory highlights the importance of role modeling and self-efficacy. These activities allow children to observe and emulate confident self-expression, fostering self-belief and social learning.
Extension Ideas:
Birth-3: Set up a “Sound Garden” with bells and chimes hanging from branches, encouraging babies to make sounds that resonate outdoors.
3-5: Create a “Confidence Circle” outside where each child can stand in the centre and shout a word that makes them feel happy and strong.
5-8: Set up a “Voice Garden” where children can write or draw their dreams for a better world on stones, leaving them in the garden as a lasting statement of their voices.
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