The Commissioner for Children visited 3 to 4 year olds at Fleurette School of Montessori in Kappara yesterday, in order to launch and distribute the 'Colouring Book on Children's Rights' - an initiative from the Office of the Commissioner for Children aimed at increasing awareness of children's rights amongst children of a very young age. The publication is the first to feature 'Guginu l-Iljuncinu', the official Mascot of the Office of the Commissioner for Children, who was designed by a 14 year old girl in order to promote children's rights in a way that is child-friendly and aimed at children themselves. This colouring book will be further distributed by the Commissioner to schools and families in the coming months.

The colouring book depicts the following rights:

I have the right to education even if I have a disability (Jien ghandi d-dritt ghall-edukazzjoni anki jekk ghandi dizabilita')

I have the right to food, clothes, and a safe home to live in (Ghandi d-dritt ghall-ikel, hwejjeg, u dar sigura biex nghix fiha)

I have the right to play (Jien ghandi d-dritt li nilghab)

I have the right to be protected from being hurt or mistreated (Ghandi d-dritt li nkun protetta billi ma jweggaghni hadd u jittrattawni tajjeb)

I have the right to get information that is important for me, from radio, newspapers, books, computers, and other means (Jiena ghandi d'dritt li nsib informazzjoni li hija tajba, mir-radju, gazzetta, kotba, kompjuter, u affarijiet ohra)

I have the right to choose my own friends, as long as it isn't harmful to others. (Ghandi d-dritt li naghzel il-hbieb tieghi, sakemm ma nkunx qed naghmel hsara lil haddiehor)

I have the right to practice my culture, language, and religion (Jiena ghandi d-dritt li nippratika l-kultura, l-lingwa, u r-religjon tieghi)

When I am sick, I have the right to receive help and be looked after (Meta nkun marid, ghandi d-dritt li nircievi l-ghajnuna u li jiehdu hsiebi)

I have the right to rest as much as I need (Jien ghandi d-dritt li niehu l-mistrieh kollu li ghandi bzonn)

I have the right to privacy (Jien ghandi d-dritt ghall-privatezza)

I have the right to say what I feel (Jien ghandi d-dritt li nghid dak li nhoss)

I have the right to ask questions to learn (Jien ghandi d-dritt li nistaqsi biex nitghallem)

I have the right to go to school and learn (Jien ghandi d-dritt li mmur l-iskola u nitghallem)

Education must help me to use and develop my talents and abilities (L-Edukazzjoni ghandha tghini nuza u nizviluppa t-talenti u l-kapacitajiet tieghi)

The colouring book was designed by Claudia Inguanez. Stef Camilleri, a trained Montessori teacher and Head of Fleurette School, was consulted at the planning stage on aspects of pedagogy.