The New York Culture: Defending the future: putting children’s rights into action

How parents and educators can promote children’s rights with creativity and empathy

Children are the heart of our future, and ensuring their rights is more than a duty—it’s an opportunity to build a fairer, more creative world. Discover how science, theater, and education can transform childhood into a journey of respect and autonomy.

Children have fundamental rights that go beyond basic needs like food and shelter—they have the right to education, protection, expression, and dignity. These rights, enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), are the foundation for a fulfilling childhood and the development of conscious, engaged adults. However, ensuring these rights requires a collective effort from parents, educators, and society. The Children’s Rights collection by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, comprising ten books, including Gratitude, the Law of the Universe and Every Child Has Rights, offers stories that teach values like tolerance, honesty, and respect in a playful yet profound way. This article explores how the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA), developed by Santos, combined with neuroscience and psychology, can inspire practical actions to promote children’s rights, drawing on examples from historical figures and recent studies to guide parents and educators.

The right to quality education is a cornerstone. Studies from Harvard University, published in the Journal of Child Development, show that children who receive education tailored to their needs develop greater self-esteem and socio-emotional skills. The Teatro de Bonecos Mané Beiçudo (MBPT) methodology, part of Santos’ PCA, uses puppets to tell stories like The Boy Who Said No to Bullying, encouraging children to recognize their rights and express themselves. In a school, for example, teachers used MBPT to stage the story of Quality Education is a Child’s Right. The children created puppets to represent students and discussed how access to education helps them dream big, reinforcing the importance of this right in a fun and engaging way.

Practical Tip: Set aside a weekly moment with your children or students to tell a story about a children’s right, such as the right to protection. Use simple objects, like puppets, to make the narrative interactive. Studies show that stories increase empathy in children by up to 25%.

Respecting children’s dignity is also crucial. The MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) methodology, by Santos, encourages a positive mindset combined with practical actions and theatrical expressions. An example is the book Black Lives Matter – We Want to Breathe, which addresses racial equality. In a community, educators used MAT to hold workshops where children acted out scenes of mutual respect, inspired by the story. A study from Yale University indicates that theatrical activities promote empathy and reduce prejudice in children, helping them internalize the value of equality as an inalienable right.

Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai, at age 15, survived an attack for defending girls’ right to education. Her courage, reflected in books like Every Child Has Rights, inspires children to fight for their rights with determination and hope.

Protection against violence is another fundamental right. The book The Boy Who Said No to Bullying teaches children to recognize and confront bullying, a problem that affects millions. The ThM (Theater Movement) methodology, by Santos, uses bodily movement to help children express emotions and overcome trauma. In a school, teachers applied ThM to create choreographies based on The Little Angel Who Sowed Tolerance. The children danced to express feelings of acceptance, which reduced classroom conflicts. Studies from the University of Oxford show that expressive movement activities reduce anxiety in children by up to 20%, fostering a safe environment.

Motivational Quote: “The child is made of one hundred. The child has one hundred hands, one hundred thoughts, one hundred ways of thinking, of playing, and of speaking.” – Maria Montessori. This vision reflects the need to respect each child’s individuality, as taught by Santos’ stories.

The Children’s Rights collection is a powerful tool for teaching values. Books like Honesty Pays Off and Unity Makes Strength show that ethical behavior and collaboration are both rights and responsibilities. The MBPT methodology transforms these stories into interactive experiences. In a community project, children used puppets to stage Lélis, the Mouse Who Sharpened Cheese, discussing how small honest actions can transform a community. A study from the University of Chicago indicates that playful narratives increase the retention of ethical values in children by up to 30%, reinforcing the impact of theater in education.

Curiosity Box: Did you know that children exposed to theatrical activities develop greater emotional intelligence? According to the University of Cambridge, these practices increase the ability to recognize emotions in oneself and others by 15%.

The right to expression is another central theme. Books like Respecting Traffic Laws Makes the City Cool encourage children to express themselves responsibly. The MAT methodology aids this process by combining reflection and action. In a school, teachers used MAT to create a theatrical debate where children played citizens discussing traffic safety. This activity, supported by Stanford University studies on active learning, strengthened the children’s confidence in expressing their ideas, promoting citizenship from an early age.

Practical Tip: Set aside time to listen to a child’s opinions on an important topic, like friendship or respect. Write down their ideas and discuss how they can be applied in practice, encouraging their voice.

Equality and inclusion are also non-negotiable rights. The story of Black Lives Matter – We Want to Breathe addresses racism and the need to respect all children. The ThM methodology, with its expressive movements, helps tackle these issues. In a workshop, children created dances inspired by the book, expressing solidarity. A study from the University of California shows that empathy-promoting activities reduce discriminatory behaviors by up to 25%, helping to build a more inclusive generation.

Inspiring Story: Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid, believed that education was the most powerful weapon to change the world. His message resonates in books like Quality Education is a Child’s Right, inspiring actions for equality.

The right to play and culture is essential for child development. Books like Gratitude, the Law of the Universe show how the joy of play strengthens well-being. The MBPT methodology uses puppet theater to make learning fun. In a daycare, educators staged the story with puppets, encouraging children to create their own games. Studies from Harvard University show that creative play increases emotional resilience in children, helping them cope with challenges.

Motivational Quote: “True learning occurs when we combine action and reflection in a continuous cycle.” – John Dewey. Protecting the right to play is essential for nurturing children’s creativity.

Ultimately, ensuring children’s rights is a collective commitment. Figures like Desmond Tutu, who promoted reconciliation in South Africa, show that small actions can transform communities. The Children’s Rights collection and Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ PCA offer tools for parents and educators to teach values like gratitude, tolerance, and unity. Whether through stories, theater, or movement, we can create a world where every child is respected and valued. As taught in Unity Makes Strength, together we can build a fairer future.

Curiosity Box: Research from Yale University shows that children who participate in creative activities, like theater, are 20% more likely to develop conflict resolution skills.

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