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UNCRC Article 31: A child’s right to rest and play

Learn why every child's right to play and rest is so important and how your donation can help Save the Children in protecting UNCRC Article 31. 

What does UNCRC article 31 emphasise for children?

As part of our ongoing commitment to child rights, Save the Children Australia focuses intently on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), specifically Article 31. This pivotal article highlights the fundamental right of every child to rest, engage in play, and participate freely in cultural life and the arts. But what does this mean in practical terms, and how do our programs, like Play2Learn and Play to be School Ready, embody these principles? 

How does article 31 define the right to play?

Article 31 defines the right to play as an essential element of childhood, integral to a child's development. It recognises that a child having fun in the way they want to is a fundamental right that contributes to the holistic development of children – their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being.

Who ensures the implementation of Article 31?

The implementation of Article 31 is a collective responsibility, governments, community leaders, educators, and organisations like Save the Children are key stakeholders. These entities work together to create policies, provide resources, and foster environments that uphold and promote the rights outlined in Article 31. 

For young people to be able to play and express themselves effectively under Article 31 it’s the role of these stakeholders to ensure that they have safe and inclusive environments to do so regardless of socioeconomic status, disabilities, religious or cultural differences, refugee status, or based on any other characteristics. It’s also important that children and young people have the opportunity for leisure activities, exploitation and inadequate childcare are common examples of externalities that may interfere with a child’s right to play.

What cultural rights are protected under Article 31?

Article 31 also protects children's rights to access and participate in cultural life. This encompasses the right to engage in cultural traditions, languages, and practices, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds can maintain and celebrate their cultural identities or that they may choose to explore, learn from, and engage with other cultures and religions.

How does article 31 support artistic expression?

Article 31 supports artistic expression by advocating for children's right to engage in any leisure or recreational activities appropriate to their age, this includes general play as well as sporting, creative, and artistic activities. This provision acknowledges the importance of art in allowing children to express their thoughts, feelings, and perspectives, fostering their creativity and innovation.

How can donors support Article 31's objectives?

Donors play a crucial role in supporting the objectives of Article 31. As well as fostering an environment for play and exploring different activities in your community, contributions to organisations like Save the Children help fund programs that create safe and nurturing environments for play, culture, and arts. Donations can support initiatives like Play2Learn, which provides critical play-based education to children who otherwise might not have access to safe playgroups.

Our Play2Learn program exemplifies the spirit of Article 31. It's a program where around 10,000 children under six and their parents participate in playgroups designed to promote learning, socialisation, and school readiness. The program pays special attention to culturally and linguistically diverse communities, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all cultural backgrounds.

Similarly, in the Solomon Islands, the 'Play to be School Ready' program illustrates the importance of play in early childhood education. By focusing on play-based learning in remote communities, this initiative is helping to support local stakeholders in ensuring every young person has access to effective early childhood education, preparing them for a future of learning and growth.

Join Save the Children and support Article 31

Join Save the Children Australia in making a tangible difference in the lives of children and their families. By supporting our programs, you are investing in our children's future and the world they will inherit. Donate Now and support child development that values and uplifts young people, ensuring they have the joyful, playful childhood they deserve.

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