Bill of Rights

Have you studied the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights? These documents protect the rights of each person, like the rights to freedom of speech, religion and others.

What kind of rights do you think kids should have? Read below some excerpts from the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations (1959). Consider printing off a copy and taking it to your teacher for class discussion.

Then, write your own "Kids Bill of Rights." (We have helped you get started.) State the rights you think all kids should have. Ask your teacher about making this a class project.

DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Whereas the people of the United Nations have…reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person.

Whereas mankind owes to the child the best it has to give.

The General Assembly

Proclaims the Declaration of the Rights of the Child…that he (she) may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his (her) own good of society the rights set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights…

The child shall enjoy special protection…to enable him (her) to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity.(Principle 2)

{The child} shall be entitled to grow and develop in health…The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services. (Principle 4)

The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his (her) particular condition. (Principle 5)

The child, for the full and harmonious development of his (her) personality, needs love and understanding. He (She) shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his (her) parents…in an atmosphere of affection and of moral and material security…Society and public authorities shall have the duty to extend particular care to children without a family and those without adequate means of support. (Principle 6)

The child is entitled to receive education…He (She) shall be given education which will promote his (her) general culture, and enable him (her) on a basis of equal opportunity to develop his abilities, his individual judgment and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society. (Principle 7)

The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief. (Principle 8)

The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. (Principle 9)

The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He (she) shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood and in full consciousness that his (her) energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men (persons). (Principle 10)

Now, draft your own "Kids Bill of Rights"

(We'll help you get started.)

Each child shall have the right to…

We want to hear from you! Send us your "Kids Bill of Rights" by e-mail to happybear@sunflowerhouse.org or mail it to:

Sunflower House
Attn: Education Program
6811 W. 63rd Street, Suite 210
Overland Park, Kansas 66202

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