The South African Constitution is hailed as one of the best Constitutions in the world. However, many children don’t know their rights and how the Constitution protects them.

Parents and society have a significant role to play in helping children identify which rights belong exclusively to them. On 21 March, South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day. On this Human Rights day, we look at how parents can teach children about their rights.

Let your child have a voice 

Encourage your child to say how they feel and what they need from you. Creating an environment that allows your child to express themselves freely teaches them that what they have to say matters.

Use empowering and positive language. Using negative language such as  “you are too soft, you are too serious, or you are just acting out/ seeking attention” can negatively affect your child’s confidence and how they view themselves.

Create a safe space for them to come to you without judgement. This can help boost your child’s confidence to speak up for themselves when they need to address a situation when they feel they’ve been treated unfairly.

In a previous article, SPARK High Schools Product Lead, Chelsea Maher, said it was essential for children to have the confidence to speak up for themselves and know who they are

Involve your child in decision making 

Involve your child in the family’s decision-making process, especially on things that affect them, such as school choice, extra-curricular activities, subjects they want to choose, and any activities they will participate in. 

Involving children in the how and why of choice selection lets your child know that they are essential and that their opinions in their family matter and it is respected, no matter their age. This helps to build trust between you and your child.

As a parent, when you want your child to be involved in something, it’s best to start by asking them how they feel about a particular activity, there work on making the activity a team event. 

For example, if your child is in high school, they might want to choose different school subjects, while you might believe that they should do specific subjects for better opportunities in the future. Instead of forcing them to take on subjects they are not interested in, have a conversation with your child about why they want to choose specific subjects.

You might find that they are not interested in a particular because they struggle or feel they need to be more competent in that subject, or they might just be not interested. Once you’ve had the discussion, find the solutions together to solve the challenge. Letting your child make certain choices in their life gives them a sense of responsibility and makes them an agent of their own life. It also shows that you listen as a parent, and it strengthens their right to choose what they want to do. 

Teach them about the importance of Diversity and inclusion 

South Africa is a diverse country with many cultures and religions. While we all have a right to choose our culture and religion, children must learn about the importance of Diversity and inclusion. Whether in their communities or at school, they should be proud of who they are and not be afraid to embrace who they are. 

Encourage them to speak up for themselves when they feel excluded or are being mistreated based on who they are, where they come from, or their socio-economic status. At the same time, it is essential to teach children to be accepting of others and be fair to others.

Be involved in their education. 

The Bill of rights also states that children have the right to quality education. Be involved in your child’s education and not only leave it up to the teachers to impart knowledge to your child.

Get a complete understanding of what your child is learning at school. Be an active participant in your child’s education and learning development. Look at various things that the school offers.