Young Children in the World and Their Rights

This book provides different perspectives on the concept of childrens rights, including policy, educational, and childrens perspectives. It examines how the crucial ideas of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are respected and implemented in 14 countries in five regions of the world. It looks at early childhood education, childrens participatory rights, and at how these rights are promoted and guaranteed in different countries. It explores the professional practice of education and its complexities, challenges and dilemmas, as well as the role of play, and of listening and participation. The book advocates childrens rights today, arguing for its vital importance, in the best interests of the children. In doing so, it furthers the understanding of childrens rights and spreads knowledge about the Convention, as a means of celebrating its 30th anniversary. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) comprises the potential to change the livesof children to the very best. It may exalt children from the position of marginalized citizens to the centre of policies all over the world. Even though the concept of childrens rights is omnipresent, the respect for childrens rights must be discussed. While the Convention brings the new perspective of children as citizens to the world, there are still challenges in its application. The book interrogates challenges in understanding and applying children rights and offers possible answers to these challenges. The ratification process itself, does not guarantee that childrens rights are respected. While all adults should take responsibility for implementing the UNCRC in everyday life, Early Childhood Education should give opportunities for children to learn and live their rights.