Island children, families, and early childhood educators are celebrating National Child Day today.
National Child Day commemorates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes the basic human rights of children and youth and gives them additional rights to protect them from harm.
Health and Social Services Minister Chester Gillan advised that National Child Day is a day to remember that children need to be loved, nurtured and respected to reach their potential. “It’s a day to think about how we all can support healthy child development as parents, grandparents, communities, organizations, businesses and governments,” said Minister Gillan.
Through the provincial Healthy Child Development Strategy, governments and communities are working together to ensure that Island children get the best possible start in life.
The Premier’s Council on Healthy Child Development recently announced a new initiative to recognize Islanders who have made exemplary contributions to the well-being of young children and their families in PEI. The Champions for Children awards recognize exemplary actions which help to achieve the goals of the Healthy Child Development Strategy.
Nominees will be considered who have demonstrated cooperation and collaboration; developed partnerships and motivated others; encouraged community action and involvement; conquered challenges; demonstrated practices which ensure everyone feels included in their community; been innovative and creative in addressing concerns; and, shown commitment to children and families over a duration of time.
Nomination forms are available in both official languages at all Access PEI sites, and on the Internet on the government Healthy Child Development Web site. Nominations are being accepted until December 19.
The Premier’s Council is working with the Early Childhood Association of PEI and the Children's Secretariat in planning for the Early Years Conference to be held November 23-25 at the Delta Prince Edward Hotel. The conference is expected to attract approximately 200 people from PEI and across Canada. Linking research, policy and practice, the meetings will focus on early learning and child care as it relates to the goals of the federal and provincial strategies. These goals are to ensure that children are safe and secure, have good health, are successful at learning, and have a sense of social belonging and responsibility.