Children in Okotoks are invited to celebrate their right to learn with music and art next Monday.
In recognition of National Child Day, Okotoks Kindermusik teacher Andrea Siqueira is hosting a free event for children up to age 10 at the Okotoks Public Library on Nov. 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The event will include a Kindermusik session geared towards young children, musical entertainment provided by Siqueira’s husband Terry, a craft, a special song and snacks.
“I just want to support this for the children,” said Siqueira. “I deal with children all the time and I thought this would be an appropriate way for me to celebrate the day and recognize them.”
National Child Day is Nov. 20. and commemorates the United Nations’ Declaration of the Rights of the Child, signed Nov. 20, 1959 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child signed on Nov. 20, 1989.
The day has been celebrated in Canada since 1993. Canada ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, making a commitment to ensure children are treated with dignity and respect, given a voice and protected.
The theme for 2016 National Child Day celebrations is “It’s Our Right to Belong,” and Siqueira has a few ideas to incorporate the theme into her activities with the children.
“We’re doing a craft about belonging,” Siqueira said. “They’ll do a community craft in groups and they’ll be making a rainbow wand, because the children are all unique like the colours of the rainbow.”
She is also working with her daughter, Jasmine, on a special song about belonging.
In keeping with the theme of all children having a place in the community, Siqueira will be taking up donations for KidSport Okotoks during the event.
“It’s just a simple little celebration, but I wanted to do something to recognize the day,” said Siqueira. ““I want to make it meaningful for people. It’s a free event, but they can donate if they like, come in, enjoy and have fun.”
This is her second year running a National Child Day even, and it’s grown since last year’s free Kindermusik class offered at the library. Siqueira said if she continues to see interest and more people volunteer to help organize it, the celebration could become even larger over the years.
“It’s important to recognize the right of children to learn, which is what National Child Day is really all about,” she said. “The more we can do to celebrate that and bring awareness, I think that would be a good thing for Okotoks.”
Children can be accompanied by parents, grandparents or other guardians, she said.
To ensure sufficient craft supplies and refreshments, anyone interested in attending the event is asked to respond on Siqueira’s Facebook event page, “National Child Day 2016.”
