GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP

As we develop through childhood so does our awareness of the world.  We became more aware of meeting and befriending others from outside the family unit.  Our knowledge develops to understand different cultures and habitats.  We gradually become aware of the world populated by other humans, essentially just like us.

The activities below are just a few ways of developing your child’s awareness of others both in their community and the world in general.   As we approach the School Summer break, these activities also provide your child with opportunities to develop their learning skills.

Each week of the summer holidays pick a new continent or country to explore.  A visit to your local library should provide you with lots of books to read and the internet is a very useful resource.  When using a search engine try adding the words ‘for kids’ so that the results are more child-friendly.   Your child may like to keep a journal of the countries they have researched in which they can write down facts and illustrate. 

Design and make their passport in which they can record facts about themselves and record places they have visited throughout the holidays.  Some children will enjoy recording the distances they have travelled in their passports.

Look at atlases and maps and use blank copies of world maps for your child to annotate with the oceans, continents etc.  Your child may also enjoy drawing their own maps to show the way from their home to the local shops.

Draw and design postcards of global cities as well as local places.

Learn to count to ten in a different language with your child.  There are many child friendly videos on the internet that can be used.

The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is available on the internet in child friendly leaflets.  The Convention states the basic rights and needs of all children.  It encourages children to not only know their rights but also their responsibilities to themselves and towards others.  For example, ‘I have the right to play and be active.  I have the responsibility to play fairly and safely.’