A child is a person between birth and puberty or some other age limit set by law. Children have fewer rights than adults and are expected to be under the care of parents or other responsible guardians. In many countries, children are given the legal status of adults after passing a rite of passage or reaching an age set by law.

Children need to be respected for their opinions and ideas, even if those opinions are not popular. They have a right to freely express their ideas, thoughts and beliefs by talking, drawing and writing, as long as they do not hurt others. Children also have a right to freedom of religion and association, and a right to education. They are also entitled to protection, security and equal opportunities for their physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Every child has the right to a safe and decent childhood, to quality education and to a healthy diet. Those who are born into poverty have less chance of being able to achieve these rights, which is why addressing the root causes of inequality and poverty is crucial to the future of children.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, changed the way that the world viewed children. It was the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history and it marked a turning point in the fight to protect children’s lives. Since then, tremendous progress has been made in reducing child deaths and improving educational and health outcomes for children. However, much more needs to be done to give every child the chance to live a life free from violence and poverty.

Rather than reacting defensively when a child makes a mistake, try to see things from their perspective. When children are criticized harshly, they can be discouraged and lose confidence in their ability to do well in school. Instead, try to show that you are genuinely concerned about their misstep and focus on helping them find ways to avoid the same problem in the future.

A child’s development is enhanced when they regularly practice reading. Read together with your child, focusing on vocabulary and comprehension. As their reading skills develop, they’ll gain more independence and be able to discuss books with greater depth.

Using games that encourage supportive competition can help children learn about winning and losing in a healthy way. This can teach them how to handle both successes and failures without becoming anxious or depressed.

Children need to be encouraged to be active and creative, as it helps them build their self-esteem and sense of belonging. They can do this by being encouraged to join sports teams and other activities where they can participate with their peers. They can also be given opportunities to express their creativity in other ways, such as by singing or drawing. Lastly, they can be encouraged to explore their interests and passions by visiting museums or going on field trips.