This year’s finalists demonstrate that children’s rights education is most powerful when children can see, feel and experience their rights in everyday life. Through thoughtful practice, creativity and genuine participation, they are creating environments where children are informed, included, listened to and empowered to use their voices.
Through child-led programming and a statewide practice library of games, storytelling, art and interactive resources, PCYC Queensland Fun Squad makes children’s rights part of everyday play and decision-making, helping children understand their rights, express their views and feel heard, valued and empowered.
At the heart of PCYC Queensland Fun Squad’s work is a commitment to ensuring children are heard, included and actively involved in decisions that affect them. By making children’s rights part of everyday play and learning, they create environments where children can participate with confidence.
By creating spaces where young people are heard, trusted and supported to shape their own futures, TRACTION turns the rights to participation, belonging and development into everyday practice.
TRACTION puts children’s rights into action by recognising young people as capable individuals with strengths, ideas and aspirations of their own. Their approach gives young people the support and agency to build confidence, reconnect with learning and take an active role in shaping their future.
The team believes every child deserves to feel heard, valued, respected and empowered, creating meaningful opportunities for children to influence their world through meetings, voting, planning and child-led risk assessments.
Led by Emma Murphy, Hendra House brings children’s rights to life through play, storytelling, music and art, helping children explore and understand their rights in ways that are meaningful, engaging and connected to their everyday experiences. By working alongside educators and families, the centre nurtures a community where every child knows they matter, their voice makes a difference and their rights are understood, respected and upheld.
Through creative projects and a whole-team approach, they recognise children as capable citizens and share their inclusive practice across the early childhood sector.
By embedding children’s rights into daily choices, learning experiences and interactions, the team ensures children have genuine opportunities to influence what and how they learn. This makes participation and agency something children actively experience every day.