5 Times A Young Voice Made a Positive Change
This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week theme is 'My Voice Matters'. Discover historical examples of impactful voices and engaging activities to empower children.
Children's Mental Health Week is a pivotal time to focus on the mental wellbeing of our young ones. This year's theme, 'My Voice Matters', emphasises the importance of empowering children and young people to express themselves confidently. At Book of Beasties, we believe in nurturing an environment where every child feels heard and valued. When children believe that their voices can make a difference, it positively impacts their self-esteem, sense of community, and overall mental health.
The Power of 'My Voice Matters'
The theme 'My Voice Matters' is about more than just speaking up; it's about empowering children to believe in the value of their thoughts and feelings. It encourages them to contribute to positive change, fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Historical Voices That Changed the World
1. Malala Yousafzai: Her advocacy for girls' education in Pakistan and her bravery in the face of adversity have inspired global change.
2. Greta Thunberg: Starting with a solitary school strike for climate, Greta's voice has sparked a worldwide movement for environmental action.
3. Anne Frank: Through her diary, Anne gave a poignant and powerful voice to the horrors of the Holocaust, impacting generations.
4. Ruby Bridges: As the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in the South, her courage at a young age became a symbol of the civil rights movement.
Activities to Empower Children's Voices
1. Storytelling Workshop
- Materials: Paper, pens, art supplies.
- Learning Objective: Encourage creative expression and narrative skills.
- Outcome: A completed story or comic strip.
- Talking Points: Discuss how stories can convey powerful messages and emotions.
Initiate the workshop by discussing the power of storytelling. Encourage children to think of a story they would like to tell – it could be real or imaginary. Guide them through the process of creating a storyboard or outline on paper. Allow them to use art supplies to illustrate their stories, enhancing their narrative. Once their stories or comic strips are complete, have a sharing session where each child presents their work. Use this opportunity to discuss the messages and emotions conveyed in their stories.
2. 'My Voice' Collage
- Materials: Magazines, glue, scissors, poster board.
- Learning Objective: Visual expression of thoughts and interests.
- Outcome: A collage that represents the child's voice and personality.
- Talking Points: How do these images represent what you care about?
Begin by explaining how a collage can express thoughts, feelings, and interests. Have children flip through magazines and select images that resonate with them. Encourage them to think about their choices and how these images represent their personalities or things they care about. Assist them in arranging and securing these images on the poster board. Once completed, each child can present their collage and share why they chose those specific images, facilitating a discussion on individuality and self-expression.
3. Role-Play Scenarios
- Materials: Scenario cards (created beforehand), props.
- Learning Objective: Develop empathy and perspective-taking.
- Outcome: Acted-out scenarios and discussions.
- Talking Points: How did it feel to be in someone else's shoes?
Prepare various scenarios that involve different emotions or situations. Distribute these scenario cards and props to the children. Allow them time to get into character and plan their role-play. Encourage them to think from their character’s perspective, promoting empathy and understanding. After each performance, hold a group discussion about the feelings and thoughts experienced during the role-play, emphasizing the importance of seeing things from different viewpoints.
4. 'I Believe' Speeches
- Materials: None.
- Learning Objective: Build public speaking and confidence.
- Outcome: A short speech on a topic the child is passionate about.
- Talking Points: Why is this topic important to you?
Introduce the concept of making a speech and how it can be a powerful way to express one's beliefs. Help each child choose a topic they feel strongly about. Guide them in structuring their speech, focusing on clear expression of their thoughts. Encourage practice to build confidence. When they present their speeches, create a supportive environment. After each speech, discuss the topic and why it’s important to the speaker, reinforcing the value of sharing personal beliefs.
5. Community Project Planning
- Materials: Paper, pens, internet for research.
- Learning Objective: Understand community involvement and planning.
- Outcome: A basic plan for a community project.
- Talking Points: How can your project make a difference in the community?
Start with a conversation about community and the impact of community projects. Brainstorm ideas for a project that would benefit the local area. Guide the children in developing a plan for their project, considering necessary resources, steps to be taken, and the intended outcome. Use the internet for research and inspiration. Help them put together a simple project plan. Discuss how their project could positively affect the community and the steps they can take to turn their plan into action.
Children's Mental Health Week is a crucial time to reinforce the message that every child's voice is important. By engaging in activities that promote self-expression and confidence, we can empower our children to believe in themselves and their ability to effect change. Let's use this week to remind our children: “My Voice Matters”.
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