Children are human beings who have not yet reached adulthood. They have an inalienable right to a healthy start in life, a quality education and a safe childhood. Millions of children around the world do not have these rights.

Children learn through watching and imitating those around them. They are like little sponges that absorb the people, places and things they encounter. When they make a mistake, they usually know what they did wrong and how to avoid repeating it. For example, they may learn that spitting at the family cat is bad because it upsets other members of their household while gently petting the cat makes everyone happy.

In 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. It explains who children are, all their rights and responsibilities, and demonstrates a global commitment to advance the wellbeing of children.

When writing about children, it’s important to understand that they are unique individuals with different passions and personalities. It’s tempting to pick one of a few worn-in personality tropes and simply stick them in your story, but that will only result in a dull and boring character. Children need to be written about in a way that reflects their personalities and interests, which are constantly evolving as they grow up.

It’s also important to remember that children can be very creative, which is a big part of what makes them so fascinating. It’s not uncommon for kids to draw, paint, dance, sing, act or build things to express themselves and their imagination. This is a great way to bring a story to life, and it helps children stay engaged with what they’re reading or hearing.

As they get older, kids are more able to think critically and develop their own opinions on topics. They may start to have favorite shows, games or activities that they enjoy, which reveals a little bit about them as a person. For example, they might have a passion for a certain sport, band or movie, or they might have strong opinions about current events.

Children have the right to be respected and protected from physical, emotional and sexual abuse and exploitation. They have the right to a name, an official record of their parents and their relations with them and to their nationality (belonging to a country). Governments must protect children from being exploited for any purpose, including forced marriage, prostitution, begging or working in dangerous or unhealthy conditions. They have the right to play, rest and take cultural and leisure activities, as well as to schooling that enables them to reach their full potential. They also have the right to a nutritious diet, clean drinking water and adequate shelter. This is what every child deserves, no matter who they are or where they live.