When I revisited ISSA’s website the first article to pop up was a special one about World Children’s Day. World Children’s Day is celebrated in an effort to promote awareness of children’s well being and rights around the globe. November 20th is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date when the UN General assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child 30 years ago.
This article was great in showing how important it is that every child should have every right. My favorite part about this was that it had interviews from six children from taken in 2017, where they were asked these what rights they think children should have – allowing them to “take over” the conversation. The children were from five different countries and had a variety of responses. What I enjoyed most about this article was that it really make me rethink what it meant to give children their rights and the differences in responses was astounding. The kids responses are so simple and honest… not a typical response I think kids in the United States would give. When asked what all children should have responses received were, “a home”, “lunch in every school”, “had parents”, and “good schools” were just a few. I almost cried. If I asked my students this same question, how they respond? I am 99% sure it would come no where near these answers, and that saddens me.
What this website and article helped me realize this week was just how much we really can learn from children. They are listening and learning from us, and how do I present myself to my students every day? Am I being the best teacher I can? Am I teaching them honesty, integrity, and thinking about others? We have been discussing about politicians and positive social change, and I don’t think you can get much more positive than children putting other children’s needs above their own.
References:
The International Step by Step Association. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.issa.nl/
World Children’s Day: for every child, every day. (20, November 2019). Retrieved from https://www.issa.nl/
Brittany's Blog: Teaching with Ms. Pyle 
Brittany,
Great post! As an educator, I wonder about the same questions you ask yourself. We all want to be a good role model and show children they are special in every way possible. The article you mentioned had to warm your heart. I felt it when reading your post. I do believe children answers are different depends on their location. Its sad but true.
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Hello Brittany,
I was happy to read about how positive your website was, but as a caring person I must agree that the responses from the children would have made me cry also because it is sad. I agree I do believe that some children here in the United States would have had different responses.
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Hi Brittany,
Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading this post and so glad the children had a chance to voice their opinion.
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What an interesting post I was not aware of this organization. I will be reading more about it to share with my teachers.
Great post.
Diane
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Hi Brittany I enjoyed your blog, I read most of the articles you read and share some of the same thoughts. I like you point about what we are learning from children, such a good insight! You know as educators you would think we are teaching them but really are teaching us, good point thanks again for sharing.
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