What Is a Child?
A child (plural: children) is a human being who is younger than the age of majority. The word comes from the Old English cild, which also meant “baby” or “infant.” A person can be considered a child even after reaching adulthood, if they behave immaturely, such as when they throw a temper tantrum. Children are dependent on their parents and their communities for care and financial and social support. Children need to be protected from violence, sexual abuse, poverty, exploitation and war. They need access to good education, clean water and healthy food. They must be free from discrimination on the basis of their gender, religion, ethnicity or disability.
A key part of childhood is play, which helps them develop physical, social and emotional skills. It is important to provide children with opportunities to participate in play that encourages their imagination and creativity. Children also need to be exposed to different cultures, and to learn about different people and traditions. They should be able to get information from the Internet, radio and television, newspapers and books, in languages they understand. Governments should make sure that the media share information in a way that respects children’s rights and privacy.
Children can learn to read by being read to, and by looking at picture books. They can also learn to speak by hearing adults talk and by listening to other people. They need to be able to listen and think about what is being said. They can practise their auditory processing during story time, by listening to a story being told and then talking about it with friends.
There are many different kinds of children’s literature, and a range of awards given to writers of children’s books. These include the Newbery Medal for writing, the Michael L. Printz Award for writing for teens, the Caldecott Medal for illustration, and Golden Kite Awards in various categories from the Association for Library Service to Children. The genre of children’s literature has evolved to become a tributary of literary mainstream and, despite its obvious reliance on the same aesthetic criteria as adult fiction, has a distinctive character of its own.
Everyone has the right to a childhood free from violence, sexual abuse, discrimination on the basis of gender, religion or belief, exploitation and poverty. All children must be looked after by people who respect their culture, language and other aspects of their identity. If they cannot be looked after by their parents, they have the right to be looked after by people who take full responsibility for them, without being cruel or neglectful. They must be able to express their views, freely and without discrimination, in any judicial or administrative proceedings that may affect them. They must be able to do this directly, or through a representative or other appropriate body, in a way that is consistent with the procedural rules of national law. They must have the right to education, including vocational training and higher education.