World Children’s Day – When it started and why we celebrate it

Children's Day

Children and young people deserve a day of recognition - and they have it. It's called World Children's Day and it's celebrated on November 20th every year.

The idea for this occasion was first thought up in 1954 and called Universal Children’s Day. It was created to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and to improve children’s welfare.

Since 1954, World Children’s Day has become a significant date on the calendar. In 1959, it was the day the UN General Assemby adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Then, in 1989, it was the day the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The United Nations provides a theme every year for the occasion and the official aim of World Children’s Day is to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

 

So, what do children and young people get to do on World Children's Day?

Well, it’s a fun day with a serious message, when kids ‘take over’ high-visibility roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to shine a light on the most pressing challenges faced by their generation.

It’s a day that is all about the importance of children and how they have special rights and freedoms that help them to grow into happy, healthy adults.

 

Colour of World Children’s Day

Blue is the symbolic colour for children’s rights on World Children’s Day. You can show your support by wearing blue on November 20th.

World Children’s Day Activities in School

  • Make children and young people aware of the importance and history of World Children’s Day in school assembly.

  • Light up the school and landmark buildings in blue.

  • Wear a blue outfit on this special day of 20th Nov.

  • Wear a blue ribbon around your wrist.

  • Wear a blue cap on this day.

  • Change your profile picture to blue on social media platforms.

  • Present children tableau shows.

  • Educate children about their rights.

Click here to read more about the rights every child and young person is entitled to.

Safe ways to vent your frustration at the world

frustration

We all feel anger at different times in our lives. Some experience it on a daily basis whereas other people might only really feel angry once every few weeks or months.

 

If you’re someone who feels angry quite often, it’s important to know how to express it in a safe way.  

Your priority is to bring down your heartrate and frustration levels to make sure you don’t do or say something you end up regretting. 

Here are a few ways you can safely express your anger: 

 

Tell someone how you feel 

If there’s someone you trust at your disposal, take them somewhere private and tell them what’s going on inside your head.  

Simply saying it out loud will reduce the intensity of the emotion and you will get another perspective that may help you see things differently. 

 

Write it out 

If there’s no one you feel comfortable talking to, write out your feelings in a diary or a piece of paper that you can tear up afterwards.  

Once you see the issue in black and white you will hopefully realise that it’s not as huge as you first thought.  

 

Do some physical activity 

Anger can manifest as a physical rush of energy (adrenaline) that makes us feel like we need to lash out. 

Instead, channel that energy into an activity like running, boxing or weight-lifting. Not only will you feel calmer afterwards, your body will benefit from the exercise. 

 

Talk to the person you’re angry with 

Being angry with someone is not a pleasant feeling so it’s good to release it as soon as you can.  

However, if you’re going to talk to the person you’re angry with, make sure you don’t go to them while you’re still fired up. Take the time to calm down and plan what you want to say. 

Be prepared for them to disagree with you but take comfort in the fact that you said what you needed to say. 

 

Complain to someone 

If you are angry about how you’ve been treated or you see an injustice done to someone else, report it to a person in authority.  

Doing nothing will make you feel more frustrated and hopefully, by complaining, something will change. 

 

Start a petition 

It can be very disheartening when you see something that needs to be changed for the greater good. However, there is something you can do. As the saying goes, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’  

Start a petition, start a movement, see what can happen. The longest journey starts with a first step… 

 

Ask for support 

Don’t ever be afraid to reach out and look for support if you’re having a hard time controlling your anger.  Childline is available to you at all times by phone 1800 66 66 66, text 50101 or webchat on childline.ie 

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