A child friendly community is one where children are valued, supported, respected, provided for and actively included. Every community can strive to be a community where children:
- Play a part – are included in decisions, are free to take part and express themselves and to receive information;
- Reach their potential – receiving the education and opportunities required to fully develop socially, emotionally, culturally, physically and spiritually;
- Live well - receiving all the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and health;
- Are free from harm – protected from all forms of abuse and neglect.
Read stories about how others are helping make their community child friendly HERE
Every Australian belongs to many communities. Neighbourhoods, sporting clubs, businesses, work places, cultural groups, religious groups, social groups, friends, professional and interest groups, are just some examples of communities in our everyday lives.
Research shows that strong, healthy communities have less child abuse and neglect. The qualities of such communities include:
- having services and social networks to support families;
- involving and respecting its children;
- modeling appropriate parenting behaviour; and
- taking pride in its people and culture.
Communities with these qualities provide a web of support across all aspects of a child’s life - enhancing their development, wellbeing and resilience against harm.
For evidence, take a look at on the NAPCAN website HERE and see how the Windale Community Action Network is functioning HERE
See the Child Friendly Communities Booklet HERE
The is officially Australia's first Child Friendly City.
"A Child Friendly City is a local system of good governance committed to fulfilling children's rights" MORE
Child Friendly Cities Toolkit
UNICEF Child friendly Cities [CFC] Secretariat has provided support for the development of a toolkit for CFC Builders MORE
1. Meet your neighbours: Say hello! Remember their names.
2. Introduce your kids in your street: Make sure everyone's got friends to play with.
3. Welcome newcomers: Make up a Welcome Pack with local schools, playgroups, child health centres, kids sporting clubs, music lessons, the closest all night chemist etc.
4. Show kids you value them: Ask for their opinion, send the kids you know a birthday card, - or just a note to say "well done" to celebrate their achievements!!
5. Involve kids in the life of your street: Help them organise a child friendly activity .
6. Exercise together: Organise a weekly walk.
7. Get the kids in your street to map your neighbourhood: Ask them to identify the places where they don't feel safe. And do something about it!
8. Care for your street: Hold a 'clean up your street' day.
9. Watch out for kids: Drive slowly!
10. Be generous with your neighbours: Share your time, Share your toys, Share your pets!
Download a pdf version of the poster HERE
Check out the Toolbox HERE where you'll find links to a variety of material, eg. our Postive Parenting Kit, other NAPCAN resourceS, and tools produced by local Community Action Networks. You'll even find links to international organisations such as UNICEF, who have produced simple cartoons to teach children [and adults] about kids' rights MORE
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