Children's Day 2023: Why Is It Celebrated, How Schools Can Celebrate

Children’s Day

Children’s Day is observed across India on November 14 every year, to mark the birth anniversary of the country’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Children’s Day celebrations see various educational and inspirational events organised by and for children across the country. What is children’s day celebrated for? Children's Day India is a commemoration of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Nehru, fondly called 'Chacha Nehru' owing to his love for children, was born on November 14' 1889.

Nehru famously said, "The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country."

Children’s Day- History

Jawahar Lal Nehru founded the Children's Film Society of India in 1955 to locally produce films just for children. Children nicknamed him "Chacha Choudhary" with affection since they loved being around him.

Until 1964, Children's Day in India celebrations were held in India on November 20, the same day it was observed by the United Nations. The Indian Parliament proclaimed May 27th, the anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's birth, to be Children's Day following his passing on that day. His popularity with children was well known, therefore the Indian government chose to designate his birthday as Children's Day. Children’s day 2023 marks the 133rd birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Children’s Day- Significance

Here are a few of the reasons for importance of Children's Day in India and why is it significant:-

• Jawahar Lal Nehru was an ardent advocate of children's rights, welfare, and education. "The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. The way we bring them up will determine the future of the country.” said Nehru.
• Nehru wanted children to value education because it develops character and equips you to face problems in the future. He actively promoted children's fundamental right to education.
• Nehru's aim of building strong support for the newly independent India was a reflection of his clear vision for India. He was engaged with educating people, especially the less fortunate members of society so they may have a brighter future.
• Nehru put a lot of effort into realising his ideal of what modern India ought to look like. When Nehru passed away, he left behind a legacy of education for children.

You just read a Children’s Day paragraph and importance of Children's day. Continue reading the article to know about Children’s Day celebrations.

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Children’s Day India Celebration

Now that we know what is Children’s Day celebrated for, let us read about how Children’s Day is celebrated in India in schools. Children's Day celebrations in India are centred on kids having fun and honouring childhood. In addition to being a notable individual and national leader, Nehru adored kids and spent a lot of time with them. This reverence and admiration led Nehru to be fondly called as "Chacha Nehru". Children's day is celebrated in schools with great fervour and joy.

Aditi Misra, Principal, Delhi Public School (DPS), Gurugram Sector 45, sends across a Children's Day quote with students on Children’s Day 2022- “Dear children, enjoy childhood. It’s never going to come back. These are the best days of your life (despite assignments/ tests/ exams!) Make your best friends at this time. Be there for each other. Stay strong, there is no problem that doesn’t have a solution, we just have to find it!”

Children’s Day Celebration- Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad

Seth Anandram Jaipuria Public School, Ghaziabad, held Children’s Day celebrations 2021 with great excitement and gaiety. The school executed some great children’s day ideas. “The school planned an intriguing storytelling session, a puppet show, and an online art and craft project for the kids in the pre-primary wing. Owing to Covid- 19, the safety and health of children were taken care of. Teachers and a few students collaborated on campus for a children's day activities, which was to put on an exciting concert which the rest of the students could attend online, from home.” said the school website.

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Children’s Day Celebration- The Indian School, New Delhi

“The programme commenced with the welcoming of children and their parents. Namrata of Class 9, narrated an inspiring story, ‘The Elephant and the Mice’ with the moral ‘size does not matter’. Students were told about the importance of Children's Day through poems, dances, and songs. The teachers’ dance lent a special liveliness to the show. Students thoroughly enjoyed the occasion and parents greatly appreciated the efforts of the teachers to make the day a special one for their young learners.” says The Indian School, New Delhi website.

The Indian School, New Delhi

Children’s Day Celebration- Amity International School, Pushp Vihar

"Book a Day With Story Books," was the theme for Children's Day activity 2021 at Amity International School, Pushp Vihar. Children's Day activity at the school included storytelling, book readings, and much more. Popular authors including Vinita Krishna, Shraddha Pandey, Bindiya Charan, and Captain Kunal Uniyal engaged with the children through a variety of activities aimed at enhancing the latter's love for reading. Santosh Yadav, the first woman to climb Mount Everest, spoke to students and parents about her journey while highlighting the significance of taking care of one's health.

Amity International School, Pushp Vihar

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Children’s Day Activities Ideas: How Schools May Celebrate

Children's Day is a time for children to make merriment and for adults to acknowledge the uniqueness of each child. Here are some Children's Day ideas that schools may use to celebrate the occasion:

• Who Are You | Ask the students to draw something that represents who they are like, and later put them up on the bulletin board to display.
• Spill Your Creative Juices | On Children’s Day 2023, teachers may give a theme to students and ask them to be creative. They can write a poem, tell a story, draw something etc
• Role Play | Ask students to be teachers for one day while teachers would act as students, and have a fun role play Children’s Day activity
• Classroom Decorations | Ask the students to make some crafts work and decorate the classroom with them on Children’s Day 2022.
• Eat A Meal Together | Ask the students to bring their favourite dish and share their lunch boxes with other classmates

Ganesh Sharma, Principal, Global Indian International School, Noida has a Children's Day quote to share with students on Children's Day 2022-"Dream big and believe in yourself! You are currently in a special time in your life, where you have unstinted freedom to dream about your future. You will be able to accomplish anything if you set your mind to it. As educators, we are here to support your journey towards excellence. You are the leaders of tomorrow and this Children’s Day, I encourage all the children to stimulate their curiosity and equip themselves with skills and knowledge to succeed in the globalised world."

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