The criteria we determined came from a UNICEF document titled "Building Child Friendly Cities: A Framework for Action".
The most important aspects we chose are:
1. Participation in family, community, and social life
2. Receive basic services, such as education, health care, and shelter
3. Be protected from exploitation, violence, and abuse
4. Walk safely in the streets on their own
5. Meet friends and play
6. Have green spaces for plants and animals
7. Participation in cultural and social events
8. Be an equal citizen of their city, with access to every service, regardless of ethnic origin, religion, income, gender, or disability.
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-When planning to create a "child-friendly" area, urban planners must consider different types of amenities that will contribute positively to the area.
Activity centers are very important in our community for children because:
1. They give children the opportunity to socialize with other kids their age in a controlled, safe environment.
2. It gives them the power to make their own choices and then learn to accept the consequences.
3. A lot of learning goes on in carefully constructed centers, and kids can learn at their own rates.
4. They help children grasp the concept of following instructions and taking direction.
Libraries play a vital role in improving children literacy skills. They also serve as a daily outlet for children and other age groups to use as a educational resource.
Surveys reveal that libraries continue to play a major role in fostering literacy in our nation particularly elementary school children. Public libraries are in a great position to expose children to large quantities of books.
Now just imagine these great resources and centers being available only a few steps a way from your child's school. This will definitely promote a child-friendly area, because then the children will be more likely to use it on a daily basis.
Sources:
(http://www.childfriendlycities.org/documents/view/id/66/lang/en)
