Get involved - Tips for educators

National Child Protection Week 3 - 9 September 2023

Get Involved > Activity ideas for educators

National Child Protection Week runs from 3 – 9 September 2023

In 2023, the message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Where we start matters’.

Each year, schools and early learning centres play an important role in helping us share our messages with their staff and local community.

To get involved with National Child Protection Week, educators are encouraged to:

Sign up now for free professional development for staff at www.napcan.org.au/events/
Share National Child Protection Week messages and resources with your families and community (see suggested resources below), including a special video from author and parenting specialist Maggie Dent (coming soon)
Check out our National Child Protection Week Children’s Activity Booklet which contains activities to help foster conversations with children about being safe and well. You’ll find it on the Get Involved page when it becomes available.
Consider participating in our children’s art activity that reinforces the messages in the activity booklet and can be run in class, or at out-of-school hours care. Artworks shared with NAPCAN are displayed on our website and social media tiles throughout the year – www.napcan.org.au/art-activity-ncpw-2023/
Download resources, such as posters, social media tiles, stickers and email banners, from the Get Involved page – www.napcan.org.au/get-involved-2023/
Order our 2023 National Child Protection Week posters to display in your schools and centres – www.napcan.org.au/child-protection-week-posters/
Pledge your school, OSHC or ECEC commitment to supporting National Child Protection Week by adding your logo to the pledge page www.napcan.org.au/national-child-protection-week-pledge/

Possible newsletter article to be run prior, or during, National Child Protection Week

National Child Protection Week (first Sunday in September) is a great time to consider how we all play a part in creating a safe and supportive community for children and young people.

In 2023, the message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Where we start matters’.

For instance this could include focusing on supporting parents to access services so that all families have the opportunity to give every child a great start.

Children thrive when parents and caregivers have the support they need. Parents can’t provide the best care when they are overloaded with the financial, emotional and societal burdens that life can bring. When we foster healthy childhoods we in turn create healthier communities, which is why it’s up to all of us to help all caregivers with such an important job.

A great, free resource for parents/caregivers and other family members is the Australian parenting website raisingchildren.net.au. The site offers free, reliable, up-to-date and independent information to help families grow and thrive together. The articles, videos and interactive resources are tailored to different ages and stages, taking families from nurturing a newborn to raising a confident, resilient teen – and helping parents to look after themselves too.

If you’re looking for activities to do with your children the National Association for the Protection of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) has launched a great Children’s Activity Booklet. Working through the pack is a great way for you to start a conversation with your child about what makes them feel safe and supported where they live.

You might also like to view this special National Child Protection Week video from author and parenting specialist Maggie Dent, where she talks about the importance of ‘micro-connections’ with your children.

Possible social media posts for educators

(copy and paste the text below)

Post 1:

This week is National Child Protection Week!

The key to ensuring safe and healthy childhoods is to ensure parents and caregivers have the support they need.

A great free support resource for parents is Australia’s parenting website raisingchildren.net.au. The Raising Children website offers free, reliable, up-to-date, and expert-reviewed information to help families grow and thrive together.

The articles, videos and resources are tailored to different ages and stages, taking families from nurturing a newborn to raising a confident, resilient teen. There’s info to help parents look after themselves too!

#nationalchildprotectionweek2023 #playyourpart #everychildineverycommunityneedsafairgo #raisingchildren #raisingaussiekids #preventchildabuseandneglect #keepchildrensafe #keepyoungpeoplesafe #napcan #safesupportedcommunity #thisschoolcares

Post 2 (for schools that pledge during National Child Protection Week 2023):

We are proud to have officially pledged our support to National Child Protection Week!

We’re committed to keeping Australia’s children safe and well and ensuring every child gets a fair go.

Find out more about National Child Protection Week and how you can play your part by visiting www.napcan.org.au/ncpw