From Educator to Advocate: Your Role in Defending Children’s Rights
I never ever thought of myself as an activist. Have you?
Sure I always felt strongly about quality early childhood education, about child protection, and for some years now: participation. Some years ago I focused solely on educating young children and if anyone would ask, I’d say: “Activism? I do not attend any demonstrations”.
Well, things have changed. I do attend demonstrations, but aside from that, I do believe activism does not mean joining a public event. Activism happens everyday, it starts with living the values you believe in and demonstrating them by one’s own actions.
And I can understand the need to do more, to have more influence on how children are perceived, educated, treated! And there is still a lot to do, the never ending work of children’s rights advocates. If you are this person, this article is for you!
Here are practical steps to begin your advocacy journey. You can start small and you can do even more! It is all up to you, your passion, energy, time resources and the right point in your life. Have a look below at all my ideas.
1,2,3…Take off!
Children’s right advocacy can be very diverse. It can start a grassroot level in a local playschool and build towards systemic change. And you, an educator, play a crucial role in this movement—not only by modelling rights-based pedagogy, fostering awareness in their communities but also by influencing policies that protect and empower children.
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya
Start with awareness! Educate yourself or enroll in a course about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989). If you are from the USA (the only country in this world that has not ratified the Convention), do it nevertheless, especially now it is crucial due to the cutting of funding for many programms. The convention is an important basis and an effect of many theories and scientific thoughts on children’s rights. Then you can start hosting discussions, book clubs or study groups for educators and caregivers. You can also of course contact me if you and your colleagues need a hand with that. Book the free consultation with me today.
Also, use social media, create your own content, or share the content of other children’s rights activists. If you are in Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn, you are more than welcome to share my posts and reels.
Early Years Practice
In your daily practice, shift from care and education to also empowerment. Listen to children's voices and if possible establish a flexible structure for children to be involved in the decision-making process, such as a participation forum or a (more structured) parliament. Facilitate storytelling or art projects, where children can share their experiences and opinions. Ensure children's participation in decisions that affect them, fostering agency, autonomy and community oriented environment.
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva
I would advise against creating set lesson plans about the rights for children, knowing theory is important, but living the rights in daily life even more. Instead, celebrate international days like Universal Children's Day (November 20) to amplify your message and use the opportunity to talk about the topic. If you offer parent afternoons or evenings, include the topic of children’s rights in the agenda, maybe even show a movie relating to the topic. Here is my suggestion about a great video introducing Adultism.
Content Creation
Another advocacy venue is creating content to advocate for children’s rights, like me!
There are so many ways to creatively support the cause, such as sharing important content, or creating your own posts on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to raise awareness and connect with policymakers. One can write blog articles or record podcast episodes. Another way could be writing opinion pieces for newspapers or blogs of other persons. In order to do that it can be helpful to collect and analyse data: real cases and stories of children, but also research and scientific articles.
Collaboration
The great side of activism is that you do not have to do it alone. There are plenty of people and organisations already advocating for children’s rights. You can partner with one of them and collaborate.
I believe a great place would be in networks of fellow educators, where already a common goal is pushing for high quality pedagogy. One can also cooperate with local businesses to support children’s initiatives (e.g., funding school projects or mentorship programs).
Photo by fauxels
To go further, you could contact local representatives to discuss children’s rights, attend town hall meetings and public consultations. You could support, sign or even draft petitions advocating for policy changes. One could contact the local or national children’s rights commissioner or NGO’s to provide information about children’s rights issues. But you don’t have to if it’s not your thing or the time and resources are tight.
Conclusion
You don’t need a megaphone or a political title to be an advocate. Every conversation you start, every decision you make in your classroom or team meeting, every story you tell or post you share—that’s advocacy. That’s activism.
You’re already doing the work. Now, imagine what’s possible when we do it together.
Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your impact, I’d love to support you in finding your voice, building your strategy, and making a plan that suits your life and values.
Click here to book a free consultation—let’s brainstorm how you can use your unique position to advocate for children’s rights!
