What we havein common

Ages 7-11

We all love to have fun!

Talk to your partner about the things you both like doing in your free time.

What interests do you both have?

Do you share any similar interests?

Having fun

Having funWe all love to have fun!

Look at the interests below. Do you like doing any of

these things?• Playing sports• Reading• Playing on the computer• Talking to your friends• Watching television and films• Playing with toys• Spending time with your family

Lots of children like to have fun doing things like these!

The Rights of the Child

In 1989, governments all around the world agreed that all

children should be allowed the same rights. These rights are the

things that all children are entitled to, or the things that they

must be allowed to have or do.

This agreement is called the UN Convention on the Rights of

the Child, and it explains what countries must do for all children.

Article 31 of the convention says that ‘every child has the right

to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and

artistic activities’.

This means that every single child in the world, no matter who

they are, must be allowed to play, have fun with friends and

enjoy their interests.

Breaking Barriers

Unfortunately, some children experience barriers that get in the way of their right to relax, play and have fun.

Other children may not let everyone join in, so some children could be left out.

How does this put up a barrier to all children being able to play and join in social activities?

We need to break down this barrier so that everyone can fully enjoy their right to relax and play. We can do this by making sure we include others in our play and social activities.

How Are We Similar?

Let’s break down these barriers.

Let’s focus on the similarities between us,

not the differences so we can all enjoy the

right to relax and play.

How many similarities can

you spot between these

children and yourself?

How Are We Similar?

Complete your how we are similar activity sheet to show all the similarities between yourself and others.

Kristian lives with his dad and two

sisters. He likes routines and for

things to stay the same.

Dylan lives with his

family, and loves

going to school. He

has cerebral palsy,

and uses a wheelchair

to get around.

They are both boys.

Rasha has left her home country

behind because it was unsafe. She

lives with her mum and aunties and

likes drawing.

Name:

Abioye lives in Nigeria with

his family. He goes to school

each day and likes listening

to music.

Draw lines to show how you are similar to these children, and how they are similar to each other.

List the similarities on each line. One example has been done for you.How We Are Similar

Draw y

our portrait here

How Are We Similar - Activity

Things to Think About

All children have the right to relax, play and have fun. Sometimes, the attitudes of others can become a barrier to children, as they may not be included in activities.

How can you help to make sure that all children, no matter who they are, are happy and can engage with their friends?