Commonwealth Games – more than just sport
We’re sure you’ve heard that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games are happening from 28th July until 8th August, with events being held in venues all across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Fifty-four countries from all over the world will compete in 20 different sports with all the participants taking part for medals rather than prize money.
The event was first held in 1930, and, with the exception of 1942 and 1946, has taken place every four years since then. The games are all about people coming together, making new friends and enjoying sport, which accounts for its other name: the ‘Friendly Games’.
The games bring the Commonwealth itself into the limelight. Did you know that the Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries who have pledged to work towards shared goals of prosperity, democracy, human rights and peace?
These are big pledges and at My First Five Years we are always keen to think about how we can begin to involve young children in conversations around big important topics, particularly those that have a bearing on our children’s futures. We are confident that even very small children can begin to develop their understanding of big ideas and important concepts when these are presented to them in age-appropriate ways.
Inspired by the pledges of the Commonwealth, we have put together a bite-sized round up of our five top tips to help you start up conversations with your child around topics such as diversity, democracy, gender and human rights.
1) Find out more about human rights with your child by reading The Little book of Big Freedoms by Chris Riddell, which explores the Human Rights Act in simple pictures.
mffy.com | The Little Book of Big Freedoms by Chris Riddell
2) Gather and read five books for your child that challenge gender stereotypes:
mffy.com | Five Books that Challenge Gender Stereotypes
3) Watch our My First Five Years Instagram Live with Alistair and Jenny, ‘Diggers and Dirt, Unicorns and Glitter, which helps parents to understand gendered play:
YouTube | Diggers and Dirt, Unicorns and Glitter
4) Think and talk about diversity with your child by reading The same but different by Molly Potter.
mffy.com | The Same but Different by Molly Potter
5) Explore what democracy means for young children by reading My First Five Years blog, ‘Choices for children, which discusses how decision-making together with your child empowers them to find their voice, to feel and trust that their own needs are important, and to believe that they can make a contribution that is useful to the family and beyond.
mffy.com | Choices for Children