Save the childrenguide to draft child-friendly documents

2022

Save the children

guide to draft child-friendly documents

Save the children international has created a practical and easy-to-use guide to writing child-friendly documents. According to Article 13, UNCRC, Article 7, ACRWC and Article 21, UNCRPD, a child's right to seek, receive and impart information in all forms and from every kind of source; it is a vital human right. This guide is focused on written form, summaries of official texts easily accessible for the mental potential of children and visually appealing. The target group of the publication is civil society practitioners, and the concept behind this is the practical safeguarding and promotion of children's rights through sufficient information while exercising them. 

A child-friendly document is a shorter, simplified, precise version of a complex, lengthy document, a summary that underlines the critical points. The language is simple, the sentences straightforward, and there are a lot of images and colours to support comprehension. Accuracy is also of great help—alternative texts and fonts at least 12 pt are pedagogically appropriate.

The process of writing a child-friendly document is as follows:

• First, summarise the main points of the original text.

• Then, make a first child friendly draft.

• Next, consult the children; it is crucial to ensure their comprehension and consider their opinions.

• Incorporate the changes the children proposed and consult them again until they approve.

The guide provides more detailed information and valuable resources. It is an excellent, easy-to-use guide that helps democratise information and contributes to its youth accessibility. As youth information providers you may find it useful in your daily work, especially with the youngests users of your services.