Children and community development

Ayat el-Haddad

Member of parliamentary foreign relations committee

The development of a community starts with children. So, the community should provide the right foundation for them.

Families play a key role in building this foundation, where they introduce children to the right concepts and values, such as love of country, respect for women and respect for others.

Schools come second in child development by providing an education that complements the foundation laid by families. The progress of any developed country is founded on that education.

Many countries also focus on the way children play. Play develops a healthy, well-adjusted child, or moulds a selfish, self-centred individual.

For example, in Japan, kindergartens play a game called ‘chairs’. Nine chairs are arranged in a row. Ten children are told to sit on them. If one child is left standing, everyone loses the game. The children squeeze against each other to create sitting space for all ten each on nine chairs. Then, one chair is taken away, and the game begins again. This is an example of an exercise in considering others’ needs and accommodating them.

Many problems in society are caused by poor parenting when children are exposed to anti-social behaviours and habits. School perpetuates this negativity with exposure to negative influences from their peers.

The media are yet another influence. Yet, it is possible to produce a film that shows the heroism of people of determination and extraordinary abilities and how to deal with them.

Children are victims of circumstance. They absorb the principles by which they will conduct their lives. Unconsciously, we may feed them the wrong principles, which will have a negative impact on society in the future.

Egypt is following the path of developed countries. The Egyptian government recently approved a new law on the rights of the child. This law includes provisions to protect children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It also promotes the child’s rights to education, healthcare and recreation.

The government has launched initiatives for proper child development, instilling the values of tolerance and respect for others.

It is important to focus on children from a young age. By introducing children to the right habits and behaviours, we can help to create a generation that is healthy, well-adjusted, and co-operative.