A child is a human being in between the stages of birth and puberty. Children are considered to be unable to make serious decisions and are dependent on their parents and community for protection and financial and social support.

Children are people who are developing physically, emotionally and cognitively. They are curious to learn about the world around them. They are also learning how to communicate and express themselves. The development of a child is affected by genetics, environment and culture.

All countries must ensure that their laws protect and promote the rights of children. This includes the right to live in safety and freedom from abuse, the right to have a good education, the right to medical treatment and the right to play. Children should also be protected from discrimination and have the opportunity to choose their religion, culture and language. They should be educated in a way that suits their interests and abilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important agreement by countries who have pledged to protect and promote all children’s rights.

Educating children is challenging and complex work. It requires patience and a willingness to try new methods. For example, when teaching a child to use the potty it can be helpful to break the process down into small steps and reward each achievement. It is also important to give instructions while the child is looking at you. This is called’modelling’. It can also help to get down to the child’s level and remove any background distractions like TV or computers.

Young children can be unpredictable and have a tendency to ignore instructions, especially if they are boring or irrelevant. It can be helpful to give lots of positive reinforcement when a child does something correctly, and avoid shouting or punishing them for doing something wrong. This helps build their confidence and motivation to learn.

By the late 19th century, the Victorian middle and upper classes had developed a high ideal of childhood as a time of simplicity and innocence. This contrasted with the reality of the many children who were employed in factories, mines and as chimney sweeps, often for long hours for little pay. This tension led to the first campaigns for child rights.

The term kid is widely used in English, but some argue that it is slang or colloquial and should not be written in academic or formal contexts. However, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that it has been in common use for over three hundred years. Despite this, some people are still wary of using the word to refer to a human being, preferring instead to use boy or girl. Nevertheless, this is an issue that needs to be resolved in order to safeguard the rights and dignity of children around the world.