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Child-To-Child (CTC) Project Child-to-Child An international network promoting children’s participation in health and development Our
To encourage and enable children and young people to promote the holistic health, well-being and development of themselves, their families and their communities worldwide. What is Child-to-Child?
· Child-to-Child is a rights based approach to children’s participation in health promotion and development. · Through participating in Child-to-Child activities the personal, physical, social, emotional, moral and intellectual development of children is enhanced. · As children participate in the Child-to-Child approach, they link their learning with taking action to promote the health, wellbeing and development of themselves, their families and their communities. Child-to-Child: A Rights Based Approach The Child-to-Child approach is grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). It is a practical way in which children’s rights can be effectively implemented. It addresses children’s right to survival, protection, development and participation. The Convention’s guiding principles of inclusion, non-discrimination and being in the best interests of the child underpin the Child-to-Child approach. We believe in a child’s right and responsibility to participate in health and education as well as their right to play. The Child-to-Child International Network
The Child-to-Child approach has been used since 1978. Education, Health Promotion and Community Development Programmes using the approach are active in over 70 countries. In order to strengthen the international network, resource groups based in India, Kenya, Lebanon, London (UK) and Pakistan have come together to contribute their thematic expertise and experience of capacity building in training, materials development, research and advocacy. This new initiative is being supported by Comic Relief. Child-to-Child International Resource Groups
Our Services, Our Role: - Capacity building for planning, implementing and evaluation of education, health and community development programmes incorporating Child-to-Child activities - Facilitating international short courses and training on a needs basis - Developing, producing and disseminating health education materials - Sharing and promoting experience based learning and Action Research - Policy development and advocacy on children’s participation Our Principles
Programmes using the Child-to-Child approach should:
· View health in the wider context of physical, mental, emotional, social, moral and environmental well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO). · Recognise the role of children as citizens and community members in contributing to the health and development of themselves and others. · Engage children in active learning so that their critical thinking and life skills are developed. · Be inclusive and involve as many children as possible without selection or exclusion on the basis of gender, disability, ethnicity or religion. · Facilitate the building of an enabling environment for the fulfilment of children’s rights, participation and protection. · Appreciate that the participation of children should be sensitive to the evolving capacities of children. Our Characteristics
The Child-to-Child approach:
· Respects children’s views and voices to enable them to grow into responsible adults. · Advocates for children’s active participation that links learning with living and promotes reflection. · Facilitates children’s understanding of development issues and why healthy behaviours are important. · Includes relevant, do-able and fun activities that promote life skills, confidence and self-esteem. · Encourages children to take ownership and identify health and development priorities relevant to themselves and their communities. · Develops children’s decision-making and problem-solving abilities in order to take action on identified priorities. · Develops children’s ability to communicate, empathise and cope with difficult circumstances. · Recognizes children’s capacities as change agents, who require the facilitative support but not the dominance of adults. · Ensures that the personal development and gains of the children implementing activities are as important as those of children with whom they are working (e.g. older children working with pre-schoolers). Child-to-Child is MUCH MORE THAN
· One child helping another child · Older children passing on health messages to younger children · An approach to Peer Education · A one time activity Child-to-Child IS NOT about · Children being asked to act as loudspeakers for adults · Children being used to do things adults do not want to or should do · Richer children helping poorer ones · A few children being put into positions of authority over their peers (e.g. as “little teachers”). Child-to-Child approaches to learning and action The Child-to-Child approach links children’s learning (in or out of school) with their lives (home and community) so that knowledge translates into behaviour and action. The Child-to-Child Step Approach: A Health Action Methodology
Using a series of linked activities, or ‘steps’, children think about health issues, make decisions, develop their life-skills and take action to promote health in their communities, with the support of adults. Choose and Understand Children identify and assess their health problems and priorities. Find out More Children research and find out how these issues affect them and their communities. Discuss what we Found and Plan Action Based on their findings children plan action that they can take individually or together Take Action Children take action with support that they have identified as needed from adults Evaluate Children evaluate the action they took: What went well? What was difficult? Has any change been achieved? Do it better Based on their evaluation children find ways of keeping the action going or improving it. Whilst the activities are frequently initiated by or with children, adults are available for support. Increasing participation is a slow and phased process upon a continuum from children’s active involvement to children directing initiatives. Our Current Thematic Areas
Since its inception, Child-to-Child approaches have contributed greatly to key health activities in hygiene, water and sanitation and disease prevention but currently particular thematic areas have also been identified where the approach is seen to have a great and lasting impact such as: · Health Education & Promotion in Schools. · Early Childhood Development. · Children in communities affected by HIV&AIDS. · Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health · Inclusive Education. · Children in Difficult Circumstances Child-to-Child enriches and is enriched by other initiatives: · Millennium Development Goals · Education For All (EFA) · Health for All · Focusing Resources on · Health promoting school programmes regionally and internationally · Facts for Life We have resource materials on all areas of Facts for Life: 1. Timing Births, Safe Motherhood and Sexual Health 2. Child Development and Early Learning 3. Breastfeeding 4. Nutrition and growth 5. Immunisation 6. Diarrhoea 7. Coughs Colds and more Serious illnesses 8. Hygiene 9. Malaria 10. HIV and AIDS 11. Injury Prevention 12. Including Children with Disabilities 13. Disasters and Emergencies Our materials are copyright free and we encourage others in the network to use, translate, adapt and share them. Please share copies of the materials with the International Resource Groups. Materials are available from resource groups as well as TALC – Teaching Aids at Low Cost Tel: +44 (0) 1727 853869 Fax: + 44 (0) 1727 846852. E-mail: talcuk@talcuk.org Website: www.talkuk.org
Joining the Network Child-to-Child, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7612 6648 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7612 6645 E-mail: ccenquiries@ioe.ac.uk Website: www.child-to-child.org
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