Children are people who are young and growing up, especially those below the age of 18. Their bodies and brains change in ways that adults can’t. They need to learn, grow and develop in their early years to be healthy and happy as they mature. They need to be protected and cared for by their parents or other people.

They also need to have their rights. These include the right to be treated with respect and fairness, and to live in a safe place with a clean environment. They need to have a chance to be educated (to learn things), get good jobs and earn a living to support themselves and their families.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child lays out the basic rights that children should have, and governments need to make sure that these rights are upheld. It outlines 54 articles and three optional protocols that governments must follow to protect these rights.

All children should be free from violence and exploitation, and have the right to live in a place where they can play freely and safely. Governments must also protect children from terrorism, which is when people kill or cause other harm to other people because of their religion, race, or nationality.

They must be protected from people who abuse them, including kidnapping and selling them. Governments must make sure that they are not taken to another country or place for this purpose, and that they can be rescued quickly if they are.

A child’s brain is still developing at the cellular level. It’s a process that takes up to 20 years, so it’s important to help them develop their skills to stay healthy and happy.

When a child learns a new skill, they need to be taught in a way that works for them. For example, a child who is learning to read needs to be shown how letters are put together to form words, and he needs to hear the sounds of those letters.

This can take a little time, and it’s best to do the work with small steps. The child should start with something easy, like picking out a letter from a pot, and then gradually increase the challenge. This helps them build up their confidence and learn new skills.

It’s also important to give them practice using their skills. For example, they should be given opportunities to write their name and learn how to spell simple words. This will help them become confident with reading, and they’ll be better able to communicate when they need to.

They should be allowed to take part in extracurricular activities, including sports and arts and crafts. This will help them to socialize and get involved in the community.

As a parent, you should make sure that you are protecting your child from dangerous situations, such as being in a crowded public place or being around fires and other burning things. You should also set firm, consistent rules for your child and stick to them.