Nurturing Kindness, Confidence, & Children’s Rights

Each year on 20 November, families, nurseries, and schools around the world mark World Children’s Day — a global celebration of children and a reminder that every child deserves to be safe, loved, and heard.

First established by the United Nations in 1954, the day promotes children’s rights everywhere: the right to play and learn, the right to be cared for, and the right to express their thoughts and feelings. For us as early years practitioners, these ideas are not just something we recognise once a year — they’re at the heart of everything we do.

Celebrating Children’s Rights in the Early Years

At Little Cedars Nursery, we believe childhood should be filled with discovery, laughter, and a sense of belonging. Each day presents countless opportunities for children to explore their world, build friendships and develop confidence in who they are.

World Children’s Day gives us a lovely opportunity to pause and reflect on how our daily routines and play experiences support children’s rights. Whether it’s giving every child time to share their ideas, encouraging them to choose their own activities, or helping them feel proud of their achievements, we’re constantly reinforcing the message that their voices matter.

We also help children learn about fairness, kindness, and inclusion in simple, age-appropriate ways — talking about taking turns, recognising feelings, and celebrating the things that make us all different and special.

“World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.” ^∞ — UNICEF.

Nurturing Kindness & Confidence

The values behind World Children’s Day are deeply woven into the early years. When children feel valued and respected, they learn to value and respect others. Through play, they develop empathy — comforting a friend who feels sad, or cheering when someone else achieves something new.

We encourage kindness in small, everyday ways: helping a friend tidy up, inviting someone to join in, or saying something kind about another’s work. These moments might seem small, but they help children build the emotional skills that form the foundation of strong, healthy relationships.

Confidence, too, grows through gentle encouragement and trust. When practitioners celebrate a child’s efforts rather than focusing on perfection, that child learns the joy of persistence and self-belief. World Children’s Day is a reminder that nurturing these qualities early on helps children become thoughtful, resilient individuals who believe in their own potential.

Listening to Children’s Voices

Even the youngest children have ideas, preferences, and opinions — and part of our role is to listen carefully to them. That might mean noticing a baby’s cues and interests, or responding when a toddler points out something new they’ve discovered.

By recognising and respecting these early expressions, we show children that their thoughts are valued. This builds trust and confidence, helping them feel secure enough to explore and express themselves freely. Listening to children, even before they can fully speak, is one of the most powerful ways we can support their right to be heard.

Ways Families Can Join the Celebration

World Children’s Day can be a lovely opportunity to celebrate at home, too. Here are a few simple ideas families might enjoy:

Wear Blue

Blue is UNICEF’s colour for World Children’s Day — a symbol of solidarity with children everywhere. Whether it’s a blue T-shirt, hat, or pair of socks, wearing blue on the day is a simple but cheerful way to show support.

Share a Story about Kindness or Friendship

Invite your little one to choose a favourite picture book that celebrates kindness, fairness, or helping others. Afterwards, talk about what the characters did to make the world a little brighter.

Kindness Jar

As a family, fill a jar with ideas for small acts of kindness — like helping to set the table, sharing toys, or making someone smile. Pick one each day and celebrate the difference it makes.

Create a “Children’s Rights” Tree

Draw or craft a tree together and add leaves labelled with things every child deserves: to play, to feel safe, to learn, to be listened to. It’s a simple visual reminder that these rights belong to every child, everywhere.

Learn more about World Children’s Day and how you can get involved here.

Every Day Is Children’s Day

While World Children’s Day falls just once a year, its spirit is something we celebrate every day. Each time a child is encouraged to speak up, to show kindness, or to follow their curiosity, they’re practising the values that shape a fair and caring world.

At Little Cedars Nursery, we’re proud to nurture those values — helping children grow into confident, compassionate learners who know their voices matter. Because for us, every day is truly Children’s Day.

Little Cedars Nursery

A High-Quality Childcare Setting in Streatham

If you’d like your baby, toddler, or preschooler to get the very best start in life, consider Little Cedars for your weekday childcare. Little Cedars is a high-quality nursery in Streatham, close to Streatham Common, Streatham Hill, Streatham Park, Tooting, Furzedown, Balham, Norbury, and Colliers Wood. Ofsted rates us as a good provider in all categories, and we support funded childcare places for eligible babies (9m+) and children under five.

Get in touch or start your child’s application today: