Practical Exercise: Children's needs and societyThis exercise has been adapted from a Save the Children training pack about the UNCRC. FORMAT 30/45 minutes Practical Exercise TOPIC / SUBJECT / THEME The basic needs of children
PURPOSE (Journalistic and children’s rights messages you hope to communicate)
OUTCOME / RESULT (What you expect the students to have learned) · An appreciation of their responsibilities as adults with some power
ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION (Measuring success, for you and for the students)
· Ask to see evidence that they have researched the contact details of relevant agencies identified at the end of the exercise RESOURCES (Equipment and materials needed for implementation)
IMPLEMENTATION (How the session will be delivered) 1. Prepare three charts headed ‘PHYSICAL’, ‘SOCIAL & CULTURAL’, ‘EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL’. Beneath each heading make two columns, ‘CHILDREN’ and ‘ADULTS’ 2. Explain that this is not a ‘test’, then ask students randomly (to keep them all alert) to contribute words that identify the needs of children or adults under each category. They should come up with lists like these, for both adults and children: PHYSICAL Clean water Clothing Food Shelter Safety/Security SOCIAL & CULTURAL Education Equal opportunities Freedom of speechFreedom of thought Identity Legal protection Play EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL A sense of security Being listened to Confidence/self-esteem Discipline Family life Love
3. Ask them to note the similarities between the lists. 4. Now ask them what distinguishes adults from children if their needs are basically the same. The distinction to be drawn is that as adults we share a responsibility for providing the needs of all the children who are coming up behind us, even if we did not enjoy them fully ourselves. Make the point that as citizens we are role models and protectors — even if we have no children of our own. 5. Ask them what special responsibilities they think media professionals have Make the point that we are able to reflect upon and publicise the needs of civil society – so we have some ‘power’ We also have a duty to provide children with information, visibility and a voice. 6. Display or distribute copies of Principles for Reporting Children 7. Now ask them to identify state or non-state bodies that have a role to play in fulfilling the needs of children – from central and local government to religious groups, professional bodies and non-governmental organisations. 8. Tell them all to note down any agencies mentioned, and explain that they will be expected to find the contact details for as many of these bodies as possible by the time of the next session. If they are writing stories about how children’s needs are not being properly met, they may need to talk to these agencies or call them to account for their failings. 9. End by reminding them that they must produce the results of their research in writing and add the details to their Contacts Book © The MediaWise Trust 2
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