Guidelines given by UN to Canada in accordance with importance of childhood development to education

In this blog I will discuss the United Nations Guidelines for Canada in Education and What is Canada’s Education Policy? I'm writing about it.

The purpose of this policy brief is to provide guidance on how best the Canadian government can support children in Canada as well as their families in order to develop and advance into becoming competent, successful people. We know that a child’s ability to understand what they are doing and why they are doing it is key to development. When we know these things about ourselves and our environment, we can learn to become better at our work and help others as much as possible. However, when a child is not actively engaged in their learning, they will have more difficulty understanding what is going on and will struggle in other areas. As such, while there are multiple stages for every human being which include social, emotional, physical, intellectual, language, and cognitive development, each stage serves to give us a deeper level of self-awareness. Children and young adults tend to go through some unique challenges when it comes to mental, developmental, and even psychological aspects, so it is important that our focus shifts to how we can support them. When doing so, we need to consider the full range of needs which include all spheres of life from learning to self-esteem and social interaction. To ensure success for any child or young adult, it is important that you start by identifying your child’s individual strengths and weaknesses and then take into consideration a developmental plan developed by teachers, parents, or school counselors. This may include classroom activities, homework, and study time. While the following guidelines and recommendations are meant to guide you in your efforts to support a specific child, their family, and their community, they are equally applicable to all children and young adults. These guidelines cover everything: educational, emotional, and social development; communication and cultural awareness; the importance of relationships and trust, and decision-making. These guidelines also help parents and caregivers with planning, budgeting, setting realistic objectives, managing work and family time, and assessing outcomes in terms of academic achievement and social success. These guidelines can be found here.

Children & Young People: Educational Approaches and Goals

The first thing you should do is educate yourself on your child or young person’s particularities, strengths, and challenges and develop a set of goals and aspirations. A child may experience anxiety, fear, loneliness, and isolation before realizing their own abilities and confidence. Identifying these issues and teaching children how to build an effective, balanced learning environment is essential for the early development of a child. Your goal should always be to create a positive space for these children and their families which allows for the possibility of their emotional learning to occur. You should identify opportunities and resources for children to explore their environments in order to facilitate exploration and learning. You can use these tools to find ways to support children like sensory play (physical objects and colors), movement, and spatial tasks. Creating environments where a child feels comfortable, free, and protected helps build emotional strength and resilience. Emotional intelligence is one of the most crucial components of personal development. Knowing how we respond to situations, and then responding appropriately, builds up our capacity for empathy. Using this approach to support kids makes them feel valued and loved. It also helps them recognize and acknowledge their feelings and emotions. During this process, however, it is important for you to make sure that any activity is appropriate. Having children sit still during quiet reading or painting is very helpful, but allowing them to do so without asking any questions. You should encourage them to get involved in conversations by talking about the topics they find fascinating. Encourage children to ask questions if they feel uncomfortable. Ensure that children are having the opportunity to talk about different topics, listen to other opinions and be part of discussions where appropriate. Be aware of the limitations around your children, their family’s perspectives, and their experience with school settings. When considering your children or young people, think about the experiences of other children in similar circumstances. How did they cope when experiencing similar difficulties? Can you say no to them when they asked to stay home? What kinds of help do they need? Are there resources available? If so, how many? How much?

Children & Young People and Family Support:

Parenting Styles and Interventions Children are resilient individuals who have the capacity to bounce back from traumatic times. They want to help everyone and have an active role in helping each other out. Parents who know how to provide safe spaces and attention while allowing a child to express themselves need to be careful about providing structure when their child is struggling. Being able to help a child in developing friendships, social skills, and other key life skills is an invaluable skill, but this doesn’t mean that you can forget your child or young person’s interests. Find the things that engage and motivate you and focus on the needs you want your child to express and seek ways to show empathy for them. If you have a strong sense of humor, encourage conversation by getting together with friends and sharing funny clips or videos. Let them know that they are loved. Don’t isolate your child from their peers. There are lots of other kids around the age of six or older who are interested in you and want to join you. Helping out your child can be stressful if things aren’t going exactly right. However, children and young people often benefit from knowing loved ones and developing social connections. Do not force your child to have a relationship. Your child will feel left out when you become “serious” or “full”. Take yourself away from whatever it is that is taking your mind off your child. Give time for things to pass by without judgment or judgment. Have fun and make mistakes. If it means that you have to change plans or schedules for your child, do. Not only does this help support your child emotionally but also instills confidence. Make a point to set aside enough time to spend with your child when you can. Try to avoid any situation or event where you see your child having an episode of sadness or negative emotion.

Children & Young People and Self-Esteem

When supporting your child or young person to thrive, be mindful of your own values and identity. Understand what motivates and affects you when you work with a child. You can learn a lot from the choices you make and how you interact with your child. Taking your time and being kind to your child can improve their confidence and self-esteem. Building a positive atmosphere and showing appreciation for their differences can boost a child’s esteem and belief in themselves. Accept that your behaviors may be annoying to others, but they can also serve as a reminder of your value system and self-worth. Set positive boundaries and monitor what you let slip. Children and young people need to feel valued for who they are but we can never underestimate our own worth. Be patient with yourself and don’t forget to love and accept yourself in return. Allow children to grow and learn how to manage their own energy levels so that they can have the freedom they need to function effectively. Show your child how you value yourself by practicing kindness and compassion. When you interact with others, make a conscious effort to be positive about the way you look. Know that your appearance and behavior are important factors in how well you care for your child. Spend time with the people you love and respect. When you are happy and confident, you allow your child to develop healthy routines and understand how you work towards creating a healthier environment for your child. Make a conscious effort to show love for your child. Speak carefully about your thoughts and feelings regarding anything you have been feeling or thinking about about the day. Children and young people appreciate this communication. Look after your child’s wellbeing. Maintain eye contact, maintain good posture and engage in small talk to keep your child busy and happy. When you can, make eye contact with other adults around your child in order to keep them informed about how they are doing, especially if they have any questions about what you are doing or why. Remember to take breaks and have a break during the day, whether or not you need to leave your desk to eat. Build relationships with others as a child and as an adult. If you feel nervous about inviting new people to come to dinner with your child, start by asking them to come over to the kitchen. Then invite your child over for tea and cake. Once the children and their friends are settled, bring up some old memories with your child. Talk about past events and how they made you feel, or take turns telling your child one of his or her favorite songs. Always remember to stay safe, happy, and well-behaved.

Children & Young People and Decision Making

Children and young people can sometimes struggle with making decisions or taking action. Even though our society has evolved to offer many options for choice, this shouldn’t prevent your child from making a series of decisions every few months, weeks, days, hours, or years as they grow. Decisions should be made according to your child’s needs and what you feel is most suitable for them. For example, the type of career you want to pursue or the subjects you wish or enjoy. Your child will have preferences and choices that must be considered carefully. Ask for support when needed. Keep pushing your child along the path that they feel most comfortable with. Listen to them and ensure that they know the information you have available. Use a variety of choices. Consider the consequences of their choices. Discuss with your child how they would like something done.

Children & Young People and Motivation:

Active Learning and Participation Children are motivated by both inner and outer rewards. Both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards can act as powerful motivation to help a child to complete any task, and it is, therefore, vital to show them that they are valued for their contribution to the team and that they don’t just have to perform once you tell them there is a reward in it for completing that task. The primary driver in shaping a child’s behavior is their internal