Compasito - Manual on Human Rights Education for Children

6. Board Games

How well do you know your rights?

Themes	General Human Rights
Complexity	Level 2
Age	8-13 years
Group size	2-6 children per board
Duration	45 minutes
Type of Activities	Board games

This activity contains two different board games with different rules, discussing human rights, that you can play on the same board provided as a handout. The children may play the game by themselves but the facilitator is needed to support them and to run the debriefing.

6a, Do You Know Your Rights?

Overview:	As in ‘Snakes and Ladders’, in this activity children move forwards or backwards according to the cards they take. However, in this game they can ‘neutralize’ a negative card if they can name the children’s right that is being violated.
Objectives	• To build familiarity with the CRC • To help children relate human rights to everyday life • To raise awareness of human rights issues
Preparation	• Check the answers in advance to be sure you are familiar with the issues. • Copy the board provided as a handout. • Copy the instructions and list of ‘Neutralizing Rights’ on one sheet. • Copy the rights cards and the penalty cards, one set for each group playing. • Copy the child-friendly CRC.
Materials	• Game board, pieces and dice • Game cards • Sheet with instructions and list of ‘Neutralizing Rights’

Instructions

Divide children into groups of two to six and give each group a board, a dice, a set of the rights cards and the penalty cards, a sheet with instructions and a list of ‘Neutralizing Rights’. Also give a copy of the child-friendly CRC to each player. In this game, the children should disregard the snakes and ladders on the board but use the coloured squares only. Game cards will inform players about what to do.
Explain the game:

Roll the dice. The child with the highest number is the first player.
The first player rolls the dice and moves forward according to the number on the dice.
If a player falls into a coloured square, the player takes a card, reads it aloud and follows the instructions. These could be to go forwards, go backwards, or miss a turn.
However, a card that says to go backwards can be ‘neutralized’ if the player can name the article of the CRC that is violated. In that case the player gets a bonus step forward.
Continue with next person on the left of the first player.
The first player to reach the end is the winner but the game should continue until every player has reached the end.

Debriefing and Evaluation

Discuss the activity, asking questions such as these:

What did you think of this game?
Did you learn anything new about human rights? About the world around you?
Did some of the situations seem strange or unfamiliar?
Can you think of situations like them, both where human rights are respected and where they are violated?

Tips for the Facilitator

The children playing can use the list of neutralising rights and the CRC if they need to, or the facilitator can use the list.
Adaptation for younger children: Omit identifying articles of the CRC to ‘neutralize’ backward steps.
Because the children will have many questions about the cases given, a second facilitator is recommended if several groups are playing this game at once.
Children might play the game in teams to help each other identify ‘neutralizing rights’.

HANDOUT: Rights Cards

RIGHTS CARD 1

Your friend’s parents separated this summer but your friend still lives with both of them on alternate weeks because that was his / her choice. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 12, Respect for the views of the child:

Children have the right to express their opinion in saying what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them, and to have their opinions taken into account.

RIGHTS CARD 2

You learned that if you are in serious trouble you can always call for help. If you dial the emergency number and explain the situation, authorities can put you in touch with organizations that try to help children who are abandoned, mistreated or have other problems. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 19, Protection from all forms of violence, abuse & neglect:

Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for, and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.

CRC Article 36, Protection from other forms of exploitation:

Children should be protected from any activities that could harm their development and well-being.

RIGHTS CARD 3

In your friend’s class, children who have more difficulties in learning get extra help from teachers. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 23, Disabled children:

Children who have any kind of disability should have special care, support, and education so that they can lead full and independent lives to the best of their abilities.

RIGHTS CARD 4

Your school principal learnt that some children in your community didn’t come to school because their parents do not have legal permission to live here. The principal managed to get in touch with them and convinced them to send the children to school. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 28, Right to education:

Children have a right to education, that is, to go to schools. ... Primary education should be free.

RIGHTS CARD 5

You have a right to know your human rights! Go forward 4 squares.

CRC Article 29, The aims of education:

Education should develop the child’s personality, skills and talents to the full. Education prepares children for life. It should encourage children to respect their parents, and their own and other nations’ cultures.

RIGHTS CARD 6

Teachers at our school are not allowed to use physical punishment or to insult children, even when they have behaved badly. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 28, Right to education:

Discipline in schools should respect children’s human dignity; violence (physical and moral) should not be used in discipline.

RIGHTS CARD 7

In your school there are many staircases but also elevators and ramps so that people who can’t walk well and use wheel chairs can move around. Go forward 3 squares.

CRC Article 23, Disabled Children:

Children who have any kind of disability should have special care, support, and education so that they can lead full and independent lives to the best of their abilities.

RIGHTS CARD 8

Your friend’s father had a bad accident and couldn’t work for a long time. While he was recovering, the government helped the family to have enough money to buy food and pay the rent. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 26, Benefit from social security:

The society in which a child lives should provide it with benefits of social security (education, culture, nutrition, health, and social welfare) that helps the child develop and live in good conditions. The Government should provide extra money for the children of families in need.

RIGHTS CARD 9

You learn that your rights should be protected even during wartime and that there are special agreements to be sure this happens. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 38, Protection of children affected by armed conflict:

Governments should not allow children under 15 to join the army or take any direct part in hostilities. Moreover, children in war zones should receive special protection.

RIGHTS CARD 10

In your community there are libraries for children, magazines, films, games and TV shows made especially for children so that you can know and understand what is going on in the world. Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 13, Freedom of expression and information:

Children have the right to seek, get and share information, in all forms (art, written, broadcast and electronic...) as long as the information is not damaging to them or to others.

RIGHTS CARD 11

Bad luck! You have to have an operation. But good luck: you have the right to special protection and care and even to have one of your parents or someone you love stay with you! Go forward 2 squares.

CRC Article 24, healthcare and health services:

Children have the right to good quality health care that is medicine, hospitals and doctors when sick. Children also have the right to clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment, so that they will stay healthy. Rich countries should help poorer countries achieve this.

HANDOUT: penalty Cards

PENALTY CARD 1

One of your friends loses one of his shoes but doesn’t have enough money to buy a new pair. The school says barefoot children are not allowed. Go back 2 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 2

Your classmate’s parents are Roma. Their family is having trouble finding a place to live in because people say, “They are different”. Go back 4 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 3

You learn that in some countries children are forced to war to fight. They are hungry, thirsty and very scared. Go back to Square 1.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 4

A girl in your school is a model. She earns lots of money and has her picture in magazines. But she often misses class and doesn’t have time to do her homework or to play with friends. She looks really tired. Go back 2 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 5:

We are only allowed to speak the national language at my school. Children who speak another language are punished if they speak their language, even on the playground. Miss a turn.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 6

There is a school in your community where children from several religions are welcome but children of no religion are frowned upon. Miss a turn.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 7

Your friend’s parents divorced last year. Now his mother won’t let him see his father any more or even his grandparents. He really misses his dad. Go back 3 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 8

There is a girl in your class who can never play after school nor has time to study because she has to take care of her younger brothers and sisters. Go back 3 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 9

A boy in your class refuses to help clean up after lunch because he says, “Cleaning up is a girl’s job!” Go back 2 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

PENALTY CARD 10

The boys at your school have a soccer team and lots of other sports clubs after school, but the girls don’t have any. Go back 2 squares.

DO YOU KNOW A RIGHT TO NEUTRALIZE THIS PENALTY?

HANDOUT: penalty Cards

PENALTY CARD 1

One of your friends loses one of his shoes but doesn’t have enough money to buy a new pair. The school says barefoot children are not allowed. Go back 2 squares

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 27. Adequate standard of living:

Children should live in good conditions of living to meet their physical and mental needs. The Government should help families who cannot afford to provide this.

PENALTY CARD 2

Your classmate’s parents are Roma. Their family is having trouble finding a place to live in because people say, “They are different”. Go back 4 squares.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 2. Non-discrimination:

The rights in the Convention apply to everyone whatever their race, colour, religion, sex, abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever language they speak and wherever they come from and the state must protect the child from any discrimination.

PENALTY CARD 3

You learn that in some countries children are forced to war to fight. They are hungry, thirsty and very scared. Go back to Square 1.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 38. Protection of children affected by armed conflict:

Governments should not allow children under 15 to join the army or take any direct part in hostilities. Moreover, children in war zones should receive special protection.

PENALTY CARD 4

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 32. Child labour:

The Government should protect children from work that is dangerous, or that might harm their health or their education, or that might lead to their exploitation.

PENALTY CARD 5

We are only allowed to speak the national language at my school. Children who speak another language are punished if they speak their language, even on the playground. Miss a turn.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHTS:

CRC Article 29. The aims of education:

CRC Article 30. Children of minorities and indigenous people:

Children of minorities and indigenous people: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not.

PENALTY CARD 6

There is a school in your community where children from several religions are welcome but children of no religion are frowned upon. Miss a turn.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHTS:

CRC Article 14. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion:

Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.

CRC Article 2. Non-discrimination:

PENALTY CARD 7

Your friend’s parents divorced last year. Now his mother won’t let him see his father any more or even his grandparents. He really misses his dad. Go back 3 squares.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 9. Separation from parents:

Children should not be separated from their parents unless it is for their own good, for example, if a parent is mistreating or neglecting a child. Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might hurt the child. The government has the duty to provide all the necessary information about the missing family member.

PENALTY CARD 8

There is a girl in your class who can never play after school nor has time to study because she has to take care of her younger brothers and sisters. Go back 3 squares.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHTS:

CRC Article 31. Leisure, play and culture:

All children have a right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of recreational and cultural activities.

CRC Article 32. Child labour:

The Government should protect children from work that is dangerous, or that might harm their health or their education, or that might lead to their exploitation.

PENALTY CARD 9

A boy in your class refuses to help clean up after lunch because he says, “Cleaning up is a girl’s job!” Go back 2 squares.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 2. Non-discrimination:

PENALTY CARD 10

The boys at your school have a soccer team and lots of other sports clubs after school, but the girls don’t have any. Go back 2 squares.

NEUTRALIZING RIGHT: CRC Article 2. Non-discrimination:

6b, Moksha-Patamu

Overview:	Originally a Hindu game to teach about religion, allowing a player to ascend higher in life or fall to lower levels. In this activity the game has been adapted to respect human rights with similarly good effects.
Objectives	To emphasize the positive effects of human rights
Preparation	Copy and cut out the game cards, and enlarge the board.
Materials	• Game board • Game cards • Dice and playing pieces

Instructions

Divide children into groups of 6 and give each group a board, game pieces and dice.
Explain the activity:

Roll the dice. The child with the highest number starts.
The first player rolls the dice and moves forward according to the number on the dice.
What happens next depends on the square where the player lands:

If a player lands on a square containing the bottom of a ladder, the player moves up to the square at the top of the ladder.
If a player lands on a square containing the tail end of a snake, the player must move down the snake to the square containing the head of the snake.
If the player lands on a coloured square, the person to the player’s left picks up a card, and reads it aloud. The player who landed on that square must say whether they think the statement on the card is true or false according to human rights.
If the player answers incorrectly, he or she stays on the same square . A player who gives the correct answer earns the chance to move forward two squares. If he or she can name the article of the CRC that defines or protects that right, then he or she moves forward an extra square. It is not necessary to name the exact number of the CRC article.
The next players then take their turns one by one.

The game is over when a player reaches the last space or throws a number on the dice that moves his piece beyond the last space.

Debriefing and Evaluation

Discuss the activity and relate it to human rights, asking questions such as:

How did you like this activity?
How did knowing about human rights help you to climb the ladder?
In real life how does knowledge of human rights help you? How does it help others?
What happens to a whole community when people do not know about their human rights? What happens when most people know their human rights?

Suggestion for follow-up

Give children copies of the child-friendly version of the CRC and ask them to come up with their own ideas and make cards that reflect their own experience. Then replay the game using these self-made cards.

Ideas for action

Relate the cards to the children’s experience. Discuss what can they do when violations such as these occur? Who are their allies in claiming their rights?

Tips for the facilitator

In the debriefing discussion encourage children to think of real experiences, focusing on violence, bullying, and situations of injustice or unfairness that they have experienced or observed.
Make copies of the game board and distribute it to the children so that they can play the game with their family and friends.

HANDOUT: Cards

Copy and cut out these cards or make others appropriate to your group.

Statement: Anybody who gets married is no longer a child.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 1. Who is a child: Everyone under 18 years of age is considered a child and thus, has all the rights in this convention

Statement: All children have the same human rights, no matter whether they or their parents are citizens of a particular country or not.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 2. Non-discrimination: The rights in the Convention apply to everyone ... wherever they come from and the state must protect the child from any discrimination.

Statement: Girls can only play on the football field if the boys are not using it.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 2., Non-discrimination: The rights in the CRC apply to everyone whatever their race, colour, religion, sex, abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever language they speak and wherever they come from and the state must protect the child from any discrimination.

Statement: If you commit a crime, you could be put in jail with adult criminals.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 37. Torture, degrading treatment and deprivation of liberty:

Children who break the law should not be treated cruelly. They should not be put in prison with adults and should be able to keep in contact with their families.

Statement: Our school librarian lets me sign out any book I want.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 17. Child’s access to appropriate information and media: Children have the right to reliable information from diverse sources, including mass media. Television, radio, and newspapers should provide information that children can understand, and should not promote materials that could harm children.

Statement: A factory nearby puts smelly chemicals into the air that makes people cough.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 24. Healthcare and health services: Children have the right to good quality healthcare that is medicine, hospitals and doctors when sick. Children also have the right to clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment, so that they will stay healthy. Rich countries should help poorer countries achieve this.

Statement: Only your father can decide what is best for you.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 18. Parents’ joint responsibilities: Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children, and should always consider what is best for each child. Governments should help parents by providing services to support them, especially if both parents work.

Statement: Although I must use a wheelchair, I can go to school with the other kids in my neighbourhood. The school should provide me with a ramp.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 23. Disabled children: Children who have any kind of disability should have special care, support, and education so that they can lead full and independent lives to the best of their abilities.

Statement: Our school computers block some Internet sites.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 17. Child’s access to appropriate information and media: Children have the right to reliable information from diverse sources, including mass media. Information sources should provide information that children can understand, and should not promote materials that could harm children.

Statement: In some places children, especially boys, must serve in an army.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 38. Protection of children affected by armed conflict: Governments should not allow children under 15 to join the army or take any direct part in hostilities. Moreover, children in war zones should receive special protection.

Statement: When a baby is born, the parents must give it a name and officially register its birth.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 7. Birth registration, name, nationality and right to know and be cared for by parents: All children have the right to a name legally registered in an ID; they have the right to nationality; also the right to know and to be cared for by their parents.

Statement: My parents allow my seventeen-year-old brother to watch whatever he likes on TV but they restrict what I can watch because I’m only ten.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 5. Parental guidance and the child’s evolving capacities: The family has the main responsibility for guiding how a child exercises his or her rights, based on growing age and maturity. Governments should respect this right.

Statement: Even though I am thirteen my parents read all my mail before they let me see it.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 16. Privacy, honour, and reputation: Children have a right to privacy. The law should protect them from attacks against their way of life, their good name, their families, their homes and their letters and mail.

Statement: Class 8 produces a weekly magazine and distributes it to the neighbours.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 13. Freedom of expression: You have the right to think what you want, to say what you like, and nobody should forbid you from doing so. You should be able to share your ideas and opinion, regardless of frontiers.

Statement: My mother is working in another country now, but every month either she comes home or my father and I visit her.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 10. Family reunification: Families who live in different countries should be allowed to move between those countries so aren’t and children can stay in contact.

Statement: My friends and I are forbidden to speak our native language at school.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 30. Children of minorities and indigenous people: Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether these are shared by the majority of people in the country or not.

Statement: I have the right to a name, a country and a family.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 8. Preservation of identity: Governments should respect children’s right to a name, a nationality and family ties. The governments have the obligation to protect and to re-establish the child identity.

Statement: Children who misbehave at school should not be given physical punishment of any kind.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 28. Right to education: Children have a right to education, that is, to go to schools. Discipline in schools should respect children’s human dignity; violence should not be used in discipline.

Statement: My family came here to get away from the war in our country. But refugee children like me are not allowed to go to school here.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 22. Refugee children: Special protection is to be given to refugee children. Children who come into a country as refugees should have the same rights as children born in that country.

Statement: I have a right to see both my parents, even if they are separated.

Answer: True/ It’s a Right

CRC Article 9. Separation from parents: Children should not be separated from their parents unless it is for their own good, for example, if a parent is mistreating or neglecting a child. Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might hurt the child.

Statement: I miss a lot of school because when the baby is sick, I take care of him while my mother is at work.

Answer: False/ It’s a Violation

CRC Article 32. Child labour: The Government should protect children from work that is dangerous, or that might harm their health or their education, or that might lead to their exploitation.