November 20 marks the Day of the Child in Canada, a special day to recognize the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. At Champlain Library, we celebrate these rights everyday by offering programs and resources that support children’s development, creativity, and mental health.
Access to Information
The Convention says that children have the right to access information. Children have their own library cards at Champlain Library! They can borrow books and explore new ideas as they please. Our Let’s Talk Science program sparks curiosity about the world, while Kanopy Kids gives access to educational videos. Our CBC Kids Corner offers curated content to entertain and inform.
Freedom of Expression
The Convention also highlights a child’s right to express themselves. We support this by offering creative programs like our Art Hive and After-School Crafts, where kids can express their ideas through art. Our Junior Book Club lets children share their thoughts on books, and we offer child-led book recommendations to encourage reading.
Participation and Involvement
Children also have the right to participate. All local school children get a free library membership, giving them the opportunity to explore, learn, and take part in library events.
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
We understand the importance of supporting children’s mental and emotional health. Our EarlyOn program provides parents of young children with access to an early childhood educator, and we offer recent books to help families understand and address emotional challenges, including:
- The Anxious Generation: How the great rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness by Jonathan Haidt
- Tiny Humans Big Emotions: How to navigate tantrums, meltdowns, and defiance to raise emotionally intelligent children by Alyssa Blask Campbell
- Pink Chaos : Navigating the mother-daughter relationship with your tween by Shayna Barksdale
- Start Here: a parent’s guide to helping children and teens through mental health challenges by Pier Bryden
At Champlain Library, we are proud to offer a welcoming space where every child, regardless of background or ability, can thrive.
