Sunday 26th November 19:00 – 20:30 UK time
A workshop for parents, caregivers, and educators
Children’s rights are a crucial tool in the work towards children’s liberation (their freedom from adultism and age-based discrimination). If your basic rights are not being met, then it’s hard to thrive. But many parents and educators don’t know much about their children’s rights.
Last year I carried out a survey asking parents about their understanding, and over half of those who responded did not know what the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was. A third said that they were not sure they could name any single right. When asked if they felt confident in advocating for their child’s rights, 90 per cent reported being either wholly unconfident, or unconfident in most situations. Children usually rely on adult support to ensure their rights are protected, and so as adults we need to be aware of what these rights are, and ready to speak up if we witness them being ignored or violated. If we are unaware of children’s rights, we also might unwittingly be going against these in our own interactions with children.
By the end of this short, interactive workshop, you understand what children’s rights are, what areas of children’s lives they cover, and why we still have a long way to go before children’s rights are properly protected and supported. You will understand how you can make a difference, and you will leave the workshop feeling inspired to create a culture where children’s rights are respected, whether it’s in your home, your classroom, or in wider advocacy work.
How is the workshop run?
The workshop takes place on Sunday 26th November 19:00 – 20:30 UK time.
We will be diving deep into what children’s rights are, with a special focus on the rights which affect children’s daily lives at home, school, and in their local communities You will end the workshop feeling more capable of creating a rights-respecting culture in your home or setting, and fired up to advocate for your child to support their rights in other areas of their lives. This is suitable for all parents, caregivers, and educators – no background in the subject is necessary!
The workshop takes place on Zoom*, runs for 90 minutes, and follows this format:
- Short introduction from Eloise
- Children’s rights in theory. A short, interactive presentation from Eloise with lots of reflection questions, looking at children’s rights: what they cover, how they are protected and supported, and some problems with the way children’s rights currently work.
- Children’s rights in practice: The second part of the workshop will be focused more closely on putting these rights into practice. We’ll be doing some short exercises and discussing them as a group (over chat is fine if you don’t want your camera on!), as well as sharing some ideas and suggestions with each other.
- Q&A / whole group discussion We will have plenty of time for questions and discussions; it’s normal for lots of questions and reflection to come up after a workshop like this!
A replay will be sent out shortly after the workshop runs, so don’t worry if you can’t attend live!
*Live captions are available on Zoom for anyone who needs them.
How do I book?
To celebrate World Children’s Day, the November workshop will cost just £10 (after November this will go up to £20).
Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. Shortly after the workshop has ended, you will receive a final email with a recording of the workshop and some summary notes.
About Eloise
Eloise Rickman is an author and experienced parent educator, who works with clients around the world through online courses and coaching. Her work focuses on challenging adultism (the structural discrimination children face based on their age and social status), championing rights-based parenting and alternative education, and helping parents and caregivers rethink how they see children.
Her first book about parenting and home education, Extraordinary Parenting, was published in 2020 by Scribe. Her next book, which focuses on children’s rights and the idea of children’s liberation will be published in June 2024.
Eloise is currently studying for an MA in the Sociology of Childhood and Children’s Rights at UCL. She has a degree in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University, where she first became interested in how childhood and family practices shape society. Eloise believes that parenting can be a hopeful and radical act, and that changing the way we treat children has the potential to shape and change society for the better (as well as making the world a better place for children here and now).
She lives in London in a sunny little house full of books with her husband and daughter and their big ginger cat. Their daughter is home educated and has never been to school. When she’s not writing or studying or thinking or talking about all things education and childhood, you can find Eloise reading, cooking, swimming, and making the most of London’s art galleries.