Ask your child about their day and you'll probably hear about play - the sandcastle that kept falling down, the friend they played chasey with, the song they sang all afternoon. These moments might seem small, but they're a big part of growing up. They're also connected to your child's rights.
Children's Week runs from 24 October to 1 November 2026. It's a time to celebrate children for who they are right now. This year's theme is "Children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion."
What is Children's Week?
Children's Week is a national celebration held every year around the fourth Wednesday in October. It's led by the Children's Week Council of Australia. It's based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and each year one right is chosen as the theme.
Schools, early learning centres and communities all over Australia join in. Many local councils run free family events too, so check what's on near you.
The rights every child has
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was agreed by the United Nations in 1989, and Australia signed on in December 1990. It lists the rights every child should have, wherever they live.
Some of these rights might surprise you. Children have the right to play and rest. They have the right to learn, the right to have a say in decisions about them, and the right to their own culture, language and religion.
All together, these rights say something simple. Children should be listened to, have the chance to learn and play, and feel proud of who they are.
Language, culture and belonging
This year's theme comes from Article 30 of the Convention. It protects the right of children from minority communities, and First Nations children, to use their own language, enjoy their culture and practise their religion.
For little ones, this is about belonging. The language your child hears at home, the food your family eats together, bedtime stories and special celebrations - they're all part of who your child is. When those things are welcomed at their centre, your child feels at home.
Every family has its own culture. It might be a language you speak at home, a family recipe or the way you celebrate birthdays. In early learning, respecting that might look like an educator learning a few words in your child's home language, books and songs about lots of different families, or an invitation to share a story or celebration with the room. It also means respecting each family's beliefs, routines and food needs.
You can read about celebrating multicultural festivals at our centres. Children also learn about the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the First Peoples of this land, through our First Nations education program.
Why play is a right
It might seem surprising that play is part of an international agreement. But for young children, play isn't a break from learning - it's how they learn.
When your child builds, pretends, climbs or splashes, they're learning new words, solving problems, making friends and handling big feelings, all at the same time. That's why play is at the heart of every day at childcare. It's not something children have to earn.
Raising Children Network explains how child-led play helps children learn, because they learn most when they're interested in what they're doing. We also share how play-based learning helps children build friendships.
Your child is a capable learner
Australia's Early Years Learning Framework guides how educators plan and teach. It sees children as capable and competent learners. It also encourages educators to actively use the Convention on the Rights of the Child in their everyday work.
Our Lifelong Learning Curriculum follows the Early Years Learning Framework. In your child's room, that means educators notice what your child is curious about and plan learning around it. They ask children for their ideas, give them real choices about what to play and who to play with, and let them try things and work them out for themselves.
This is called child-led learning. It brings together your child's right to learn and their right to be heard.
Easy ways to celebrate at home
You don't need a big plan for Children's Week. Small moments count. Here are a few ideas:
- Share a family story. Tell your child where your family comes from, or about a tradition you loved as a child.
- Use your home language. If your family speaks more than one language, sing a song or read a book together in it.
- Let them lead. Spend 15 minutes playing whatever your child chooses, and follow along.
- Ask what they think. Let them help choose dinner, plan a weekend outing or name a new toy.
- Find a local event. Check your council's website for Children's Week activities near you.
Celebrating every child
Every child comes to their centre with their own language, culture, beliefs and ideas. Children's Week is a great time to celebrate all of it.
If you'd like to share a little of your family's culture with your child's room - a story, a song or a favourite recipe - have a chat with your educators. They'd love to hear from you.