‘Listening and Talking’ key theme for Children’s Day

More than three hundred events were organised across NZ to celebrate the ninth National Children’s Day on Sunday, 1st March 2009.

The theme this year is listening and talking says chair of the National Children’s Day Steering Group Mark Woodard.

“Listening and talking are important for raising happy, healthy, and vibrant children,” says Mr Woodard.

“This is because listening and talking to children underpins their social, emotional, and cognitive development – it really helps,” he says.

Children’s Day event organisers were encouraged to promote positive communication this year. Ideas to support the listening and talking theme were highlighted in the activity materials that were available at many events and on the Children’s Day website.

The purpose of Children’s Day is to see children celebrated, nurtured, and treasured by all.

Adults were encouraged to spend time with their kids on Children’s Day, to talk to them about what’s going on in their lives, and to really listen to what they have to say.

In 2009, events ranged from the annual Toddlers Day Out and Parenting Fair at Waitakere in Auckland that attracts 11,000 people to a variety of small family, school and early childhood centre celebrations.