Children are human beings who are still developing physically, mentally and emotionally. They are naive, trusting and have a natural curiosity for the world. They see beauty in the most mundane things, and they love to play.

Children have a very important role to play in our society and need to be nurtured and cared for. Their physical and emotional well-being is crucial to the development of the whole person. Children have rights that must be respected, such as the right to privacy and to be free from abuse. They also need to be educated in a way that is appropriate for their age. This includes teaching them about their religion, culture and language. Children need firm, consistent guidelines to feel safe and secure. If parents and other adults set different rules and boundaries, children will struggle to understand what is expected of them. They will need to learn how to behave in a range of situations, from doctors’ appointments to visiting friends and family members.

If children are not able to live with their parents, the state should help them and protect them. Governments must ensure that any adult who looks after a child is not abusing them. They must also make sure that they respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of the parents. Children need to be protected from violence, poverty and neglect. They should also be protected from discrimination and being separated from their parents, unless this is in their best interests.

A child can be any human being between birth and the onset of puberty. In many cultures, children are classed as unable to make serious decisions and must be looked after by a responsible adult. Children are not seen as an equal part of the community, and they are often not treated equally by the law.

In the modern world, there are more than two billion children alive today. This is the largest number ever in history. The majority of them are living in developing countries and are under the age of 14.

They are hungry for knowledge and love to be challenged with new activities. They want to learn to read and write and to understand the world around them. Children want to please and are motivated by praise and affection. They need to be taught basic skills like washing, brushing their teeth and using the toilet, but they also need to play and explore their environment.

Play is one of the most fundamental human needs and has been recognized by the United Nations as a right on par with food, shelter and education. Children need to be encouraged to use their imagination and creativity, and to develop social and emotional skills through playing games with others. This is especially important for those living in poverty, where access to toys and books may be limited. In addition, it is important to give them access to healthy foods so that they can grow and be strong.