Children’s Participation Workshops: A Date with Doggy + Picturebook Makerland [Donor Exclusive]
On 10 March (Sunday), we were delighted to welcome our donors and their children to the Plan International office for a fulfilling and unforgettable afternoon with two uniquely designed workshops. Let’s revisit the highlights of these wonderful events!
Workshop 1: “A Date with Doggy” (in partnership with RiseWise Foundation)
During this activity, children, led by the licensed professional therapists and the therapy dog Mia, learned how to stay focused, listen to instructions, and express themselves confidently through engaging interactive games. Some children were hesitant to interact with the dog initially, but through the encouragement of the instructors, they became brave enough to give commands to Mia and even overcome their fears to touch her. Additionally, the instructors enlightened the children about dog’s private and sensitive areas, emphasizing the importance of respecting these boundaries while also teaching them to protect their own privacy.
Before kicking off the event, children attentively learnt about interacting with the therapy dog Mia.
A child bravely interacted with the therapy dog Mia.
Children learnt how to give commands to the therapy dog Mia.
Workshop 2: “Picturebook Makerland” (in partnership with The Beautiful Pages)
Under the guidance of the artist, children unlocked their boundless imagination and creativity through a treasure hunt game, followed by crafting their own picture books centred on the theme “My Lost Item”. They then shared their narratives in the sharing session. It was heartening to witness the quieter children gradually opened up and eagerly discussed the content of their works and shared their emotions. Drawing acts not only as a bridge for parent-child communication but also as a pivotal educational tool, encouraging children to boldly articulate their feelings and thoughts, including sensitive subjects or discomfort.
“Have you ever lost something?” The artist used everyday topic to prompt children to create their own stories.
While designing their picture books, the children shared their feelings and thoughts.
Children eagerly presented the content of their picture books and shared their personal stories.
Why Do We Organise These Workshops?
In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the right of children to participate is as important as their rights to survival, protection, and development. Around the world, we empower children by building their self-confidence and enabling them to voice their needs, equipping them to champion their rights. Our duty as adults is to see the world through their eyes, understanding their needs and perspectives to safeguard and fuel their growth more effectively.
Our programme and advocacy work here in Hong Kong is no exception. We have been actively introducing new elements, including organising workshops and a variety of activities, to provide local children with more diverse experiences and teach them how to express their emotions and needs more effectively. The responses of the participating children in this event will serve as a critical reference for our future “Child Safeguarding Training” activities targeting kindergartens and primary schools, to fulfil the essential goal of promoting the participation and development rights of local children.
We will soon invite local kindergartens and primary schools to participate in our various Child Safeguarding Training programmes. Please stay tuned for our latest updates, and feel free to recommend our programmes to your child’s school.
Learn more from Plan International’s feature article: “Not Only Do Children Enjoy Rights but They Also Have the Ability to Participate in Social Affairs!”
