"El Día del Niño" (Children's Day) is celebrated on different dates across Latin America,
reflecting each country's unique embrace of childhood. In Mexico, the day is observed
on April 30th every year, while Colombia marks it on the fourth Saturday of April, and
Venezuela celebrates on the third Sunday of July. This special day is devoted to
celebrating children, underscoring the importance of their well-being, happiness, and
rights.
The origins of this celebration trace back to the World Conference for the Well-being of
Children held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1925. This pivotal event focused on the global
welfare and rights of children, paving the way for the United Nations' adoption of the
Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959. This declaration
emphasized essential rights that should be granted to every child, including protection,
education, health care, shelter, and proper nutrition.
Inspired by the principles set forth in the declaration, many nations were motivated to
institute Children's Day—a day dedicated to the celebration of children, aiming to raise
awareness about their needs and the critical role they play in shaping the future, but
what about their emotional wellbeing and mental health?
Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, a leading child psychiatrist and president of the Child Mind
Institute, emphasizes that "Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. It also
means having the skills necessary to cope with life's challenges". Furthermore, good
mental health allows children to develop socially and emotionally, think clearly, and
build resilience against adversity.
The development of young children in our society into capable, resilient adults is critical
now more than ever. Children are highly sensitive to the emotional dynamics around
them, particularly those exhibited by caregivers and significant adults in their lives.
Children learn critical life skills such as empathy, patience, and conflict resolution by
observing the adults around them. According to Dr. Jack Shonkoff, Director of the
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, "Early experiences can have a
lasting impact on later learning, behavior, and health." Stressful experiences such as
family disruption, poverty, or trauma can significantly impede a child’s mental health and
development. When an adult demonstrates patience in a challenging situation, a child
learns that patience is valuable and effective. Such modeling also includes the
demonstration of moral values like honesty, kindness, and fairness, shaping the child’s
understanding of right and wrong. Therefore, adult self-awareness and self-regulation is
key—not just in direct interactions with children but as one of the foundational elements
that influence a child’s long-term emotional, social, and cognitive growth.
Adults who practice self-regulation provide a model of emotional control that children
instinctively learn to mimic. Effective emotional regulation by adults prevents negative
feelings from escalating into conflicts and creates a calm, stable environment where
children can thrive. This not only supports a child’s immediate sense of safety but also
aids in developing their own ability to manage emotions—a skill that is crucial for their
long-term mental health and relationships. The consistency of an adult's self-regulated
behavior fosters a profound sense of security and trust within a child. This trust is crucial
as it underpins the child’s willingness to explore the world and form other healthy
relationships. The secure attachment that develops from this trust supports various
aspects of development, including academic achievement and social relationships.
The importance of bidirectional communication
Self-aware adults foster independence in children by skillfully balancing guidance with
opportunities for them to explore new activities independently. This approach helps
gauge a child’s readiness to face new challenges and take on responsibilities. Equally
important is the ability to communicate effectively—not just speaking, but ensuring
understanding. By adjusting language and emotional tone to match the child's
developmental level, adults can create a nurturing environment where children feel safe
to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. This tailored
communication promotes open dialogue, enhances learning, and strengthens emotional
connections, particularly during disagreements. Normalizing disagreements as natural
parts of human interaction and using them as teaching moments can help children learn
to resolve conflicts with empathy and fairness, equipping them with valuable life skills
for the future.
Adults who understand their own traumas and their impact of these traumas on their
own lives can take proactive steps to mitigate their effects for the future generations.
This might include shielding children from inappropriate media, providing extra support
during family disruptions, or seeking professional help when necessary to help the child
process and recover from traumatic events.
Be the change you want to see in the world (and in your children)
As adults we should honor our children’s mental health by embodying a loving
environment, with learning, curiosity, and healthy relationships . Seeing adults who are
self-aware, self-regulated, is paramount for a healthier, more empathetic, innovative
future generations. Remember, traumas can result from a variety of circumstances or
actions that were not meant to cause distress or harm but nevertheless have a
significant impact on a child’s mental and emotional development. Our behaviors are a
powerful tool in our societal advancement, echoing through generations in profound
ways, let’s use Children’s Day to serve as a reminder of the commitments made by
countries to honor and uphold children's rights, ensuring a better and more nurturing
world for the next generation.
The nurturing of young minds through the practice of self-regulation and self-awareness
by adults is not merely a benevolent act—it is a crucial investment in the future well-
being of our society. Celebrating Children's Day across various nations highlights the
universal recognition of children's significant role in shaping the future. However, it is the
everyday interactions with self-aware adults that truly mold their emotional and mental
resilience. We have the responsibility to model the change we want to see in the world
and in our children. As we recognize Children's Day, let it serve not only as a
celebration but as a reminder of our ongoing commitment to uphold and honor children's
rights and well-being. Through conscientious actions and understanding, we can
provide the next generation with the foundation for a healthier, more empathetic world.
Cascade Media Group Contributor [email protected]
