Childhood is a small magical country in which children hopefully live without worry and sadness. How beautiful and bright that country is, and how full of wonders. Each one of us has been in this wonderful garden of life, and will always search for its footprints in our memories. Childhood is a child’s laugh. It’s so sincere; it’s a child’s eyes full of delight and trust, and the sound melts even the coldest of hearts. Our planet is a small and colourful ball in a child’s hands. 

On June 1st, we celebrate the International Day for Protection of Children. 

International Children’s Day (celebrated on June 1 in many countries) also has its own flag. The flag’s green background symbolizes harmony and fertility. A symbol of our planet is in the middle of the flag, and around the Earth are figures of children: black, yellow, white, blue, and red. They represent the diversity of the Earth’s inhabitants, as well as tolerance. 

International Children’s Day is a reminder of the fragility of children, as well as their defencelessness. Children are small particles of big happiness that require care and love. In this world, each small individual needs to feel the warmth and love of their mother, as well as to hold their small hand in the big and warm hand of their father. All children are looking at this big, bright, and magical world unfolding before them. They run through the rainbow of desires to reach their dreams. They make their secret wishes, always believing that one day they’ll come true. Children’s eyes are like bright stars in the night sky that are looking down and thinking what the next day is going to be like. No city’s stars shine as bright as they do in the city of our childhood. Will parents be able to make their children’s early years bright and worry-free? 

Children are the most bright, pure, and wonderful things existing on this planet. Childhood should be merry, peace should be the norm, and each new day should be interesting. If parents take good care of their children, then those children will take good care of the family’s next generation. 

International Children’s Day is the holiday of all humanity, since we all had a childhood. Children should grow, learn, and play. No one should take a peaceful environment away from children. 

From ancient times to this day, child labour has taken place around the world. Children were subjected to dangerous working conditions and either didn’t get paid at all, or got paid very little. Even though times have changed and many countries have adopted laws to protect children from child labour, children are still working in conditions that risk their health, and possibly even their lives. When celebrating International Children’s Day, we are to acknowledge and spread awareness about child labour and how it’s important to protect all children from it. 

The experiences that children go through during their childhood years have a direct effect on the development of their brains. This development in turn builds the foundation for future learning, behaviour, and health. Thus, parents are to love their children and take good care of them to the best of their abilities, so as to grow the next generation of strong, smart, and loving inhabitants of our lovely and beautiful planet. 

Natanel is originally from Israel and came to Canada with his family when he was a year old. Now 15 years old and in Grade 9, he’s a new Canadian citizen.