The Treehouse with the Animals of Children’s Rights

09 August 2023

εξώφυλλο ζωάκια new

The Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) has approved for use in the “Skills Workshops” of kindergartens and the first grades of primary schools the new educational material by PROTA.12 / INART.12, which aims to familiarize young children, in an experiential and enjoyable way, with the Rights of the Child, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted in 1989 - Greek Law 2101/92).

Its title is:

“The Treehouse with the Animals of Children’s Rights”

The material includes:

12+1 illustrated cards with animals, each representing an important child right. The cards, designed to be displayed in the classroom after relevant activities, feature drawings of the animals, references to the specific rights, simple song lyrics, short stories, and a space where children can write the decision of their class assembly related to the right under discussion.
Suggestions for educational activities and the organization of children’s assemblies, through which children can experience the meaning of rights in a hands-on way, discuss, cooperate, and make decisions about their community.
Recorded stories and songs.

You can view the animal cards here and the booklet with activity and assembly proposals here (available only in Greek language at the moment)

The material was developed by Giorgos Moschos, with contributions to its final design from a team of educational consultants. The illustrations were created by Nikos Kampasele, and the accompanying audio material features Eirini Koumparouli. The songs’ music was composed by Kostas Moschos.

Educators who wish to make use of this material are encouraged to consult the guide “«The Children's Assembly: First Steps in Practicing Democracy», authored by Giorgos Moschos and Aspasia Kalisora, as well as the materials of the pedagogical group “To Skasiarcheio" (The Truancy) related to C. Freinet techniques.

During the school year 2024-25 the Treehouse was printed, disseminated widely and presented in many schools with the support of a project funded by UNICEF and coordinated by the Department of Early Childhood Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The orchestration and recording of the songs with a children’s choir were made possible through funding from the Ministry of Culture to the collaborating with INART.12 Institute for Research on Music and Acoustics - IEMA - Music Information Centre.