When you think of childhood, what do you recall? Birthday parties? School bullies? Passing notes in class?
Kids over the centuries have been shaped by their early experiences. The more love and support a child receives, the more likely they are to become successful and give back to their communities. But when a child does not have the resources needed to flourish, they will end up struggling throughout life.
That’s why World Children’s Day was founded: to raise awareness of children’s rights and improve their welfare. In 1959, the United Nations passed the “Declaration of the Rights of the Child”. 30 years later, in 1989, it held the “Convention on the Rights of the Child”, where it outlined the basic rights of a child, such as not being separated from their parents unless not properly being taken care of (read all the rights here). In other words, this day is about giving kids a voice.
And that’s what Sparks strives to achieve through music therapy with our students facing parental separation — helping them be able to say what they need to, and also be able to regulate their responses to better relate to and live in their world. As they learn to take care of themselves, they are better equipped to care for their world as well.
Children all around the world face many joys as well as many challenges. But they are the voice of the future. And what they learn today will have a lifelong impact.
Check out these ways to celebrate World Children’s Day this year.
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