Thousands of children have celebrated World Children’s Day at a special online assembly.
Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean and Niamh, 17, hosted the 30-minute session, which had BSL interpretation.
The theme for the assembly was “the power of listening to children” and it marked the anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
During the interactive assembly, children learned more about their rights and took part in a fun body percussion session, led by Evie from Solar Bear, a Glasgow-based theatre company.
Children also gave their views on how much they are listened to in school – information which the Commissioner will use at her innovative Shoogle Lab next month. It’s bringing together education leaders and children to shake up education, and come up with ways to improve the system.
Commissioner Nicola said: “This assembly was a joy to take part in, and I hope everyone who came along enjoyed it as well. Our aim was to explore with children their right to take part in decisions that affect them, and how important their opinions are. But we have to do that in a fun and creative way, and the body percussion activity about being heard did just that.
“It was interesting to find out how much children feel they are listened to in school, and what areas of school life they feel they have a say in. We have activities that schools can take part in over the next week on our website, and I’ll be using that information with my Young Advisors at our Shoogle Lab next month.”
Niamh, a member of the Commissioner’s Young Advisors group, said: “I really enjoyed being part of the assembly, even more than I thought I would! I’m so pleased with how it went.”
The Commissioner’s rights assemblies are hosted with learning and teaching platform e-Sgoil and aim to raise awareness and understanding of rights with primary-aged children in a creative and accessible way.