RAISING LUMINARIES

Hi, I’m Ashia, founder & Head Custodian of Infodumpery for Raising Luminaries.

I create free tool kits to help overworked caregivers ignite the next generation of leaders.

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Let's explore

Children's Rights

Rights - opportunities and resources that everyone should have, no matter who they are or what they do.

Ageism - Unfair assumptions and ideas that suggest middle-age adults deserve power over older adults and children.

Childism - Actions, rules, and ideas created by adults that suggest that a an adult's feelings, experiences, and ways of learning are more important and superior to those of children.

Child / Minor - a person who is younger than the age of 18 (in the US).

Guardian - an adult who has permission to make legal decisions that impact or control a specific minor's experiences, including their money, private information, where the minor goes, and who the minor spends time with.

SMASH THE KYRIARCHY

Why Act Now?

Children hold all of the responsibility for solving our future problems - with none of the power to prevent these challenges from getting worse.

A child doesn't have the same rights to protect themselves that adults do under current US laws. Guardians may share their child's private information - including photos of their bodies and details about embarrassing experiences, with strangers on the internet.

Guardians may hit, yell, and control a child in ways they are not allowed to do to other adults. Guardians may control a minor's property and money, lie to a child about their own medical information and bodies, and prevent children from learning about themselves and connecting with other kids like them.

This seems unfair, right? But we can change the laws and rules so all children can protect themselves from guardians who hurt them, learn about what's best for themselves, and make informed decisions about their future.

Children’s Rights & Anti-Childism: A Family Action Toolkit

For Youth Activists Against Childhood Exploitation

If we don't care about an issue, we won't take action. Kids have the right to choose curiosity-provoking resources that connect with our values and abilities.

1. SPARK CURIOSITY

Engage

Learn how this issue impacts us and the people we care about.

2. ASK QUESTIONS

Discuss

Process with adults who are willing to be honest and challenge our assumptions.

3. SET INTENTIONS

Reflect

Transform what we've learned into hands-on creativity.

4. CREATE CHANGE

Act

Step into our power with kid-friendly acts of service.

STEP 1: 5 MINUTES

Spark Curiosity: Pick One Story

Which stories and videos make you interested in learning more about this issue?

Which would you recommend to other kids? Add your own suggestions in the comments below.

Babies + Toddlers

Hands On!

STEP 2: 10 MINUTES

Make It Personal: Ask Questions

Ask & answer these questions with an adult who you trust to be honest with you..

How...

How do you feel when adults tell you:

"You're too young to understand."

"I'll tell you when you're older."

"Because I SAID so."

Which...

Which parts of your life do you want more control over?

How can you tell when adults create rules to keep you under their control?

How is this different from rules adults create to keep you safe and help you?

Who...

Who can you talk to if you don't like how an older person is treating you?

What are you afraid will happen if you disobey older people?

How will you listen and show respect to younger people as you grow up?

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mother lifting child
family eating together
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- one story at a time

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STEP 3: USE WHAT YOU HAVE

From Theory To Real-World: Creative Reflection

Time to move from theory to reality. Use creative play to integrate what we've learned, take responsibility, and own what's within our control.

Pre-K+

My Rights: Affirmation Cards

Print & decorate these Children's Rights Affirmation Cards.

As you move through each one - what does it mean to have each right? How do we protect these rights for other kids?

Which rights are not included? Create your own - and tell us about them in the comments below.

Pre-K+

We Move Together Activity Sheets

Most spaces are not designed for kids. When we create 'access' for people - we make a space safer and more welcoming for them.

Kids need access to spaces beyond schools and playgrounds. How can we make spaces more accessible for you?

Elementary+

Design Child-Centered Spaces

Beyond playgrounds - how would your day be different if restaurants, stores, and hospitals were designed for kids, and not just adults?

Tell a story, draw a picture, create a collage, use blocks, cardboard, or clay - design a space for kids like you.

Who would you need to talk with to create this space? What would you need to learn and do to create a space like this?

Elementary+

Quiz: Intro to Children's Rights

Find out how much you know about children's rights

Review the questions on your own, or take these three quizes on Kahoot to learn about the UN's Convention on the Rights of Children.

Available in multiple languages

RAISING LUMINARIES

Hi, I’m Ashia, founder & Head Custodian of Infodumpery for Raising Luminaries.

I create free tool kits to help overworked caregivers ignite the next generation of leaders.

ABOUT | MISSION | FINANCIALS | ACCOUNTABILITY

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

STAY IN TOUCH

Get free monthly email notifications when I publish new Family Action Toolkits

FREE STUFF

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

SHOP

Posts may contain affiliate links and  sponsorships, which allow me to earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

AFFILIATE POLICY

PARTNERS IN CAHOOTS

TOPICS

CONTACT

RECIPROCATE

Collaborate with Raising Luminaries on an issue important to you.

You’re welcome to share & boost this toolkit, with attribution to Raising Luminaries.

IT'S STILL OKAY TO LAUGH

Hard conversations with humor & joy

Every month the Luminary Braintrust tackles a new member challenge to make talking about social justice easier in real life.

STEP 4: ASSESS YOUR CAPACITY

Step Into Your Power: Take Action

Feeling overwhelmed? Not sure how to start?

Whether it's time, money, or influence - we all have something we can share to change the world.

if you have $15

Support Indigenous Youth Leaders

The International Indigenous Youth Council (IIYC) organizes youth through action and cultural connection to build a sustainable future for the next seven generations.

if you have 10 minutes

Grant Safe Passage for Unaccompanied Children

Every unaccompanied child deserves the chance to seek safety and refuge.

Urge the Biden Administration right now to ensure that unaccompanied refugee children and other vulnerable protection seekers can safely access asylum at the border.

If you have 5 friends

Amplify & Boost

Share this toolkit with 5 friends who would appreciate your help tackling these topics as a family.

DIG DEEPER

Bonus Resources

Share what worked for your family (and what didn't).

Add the resources you suggest in the comments below to help families like yours.

POSTER & ASL VIDEO

Elements of Children's Rights

Child-friendly posters, descriptions, and videos to help kids learn about international children's rights.

Multiple languages available

via Child Rights Connect

VIDEO

What Happened When We Let Kids Design Our City

By staying tenacious and resilient, we can keep working together toward the future we want.

Via Mara Mintzer for TEDx

VIDEO + OUTLINE

How Childism Shows Up In Progressive Kidlit

What happens when adults write kidlit about children, centering the adult gaze?

Via Ashia Ray & Raising Luminaries

Not a member yet? Join us.

REFLECTION PROMPTS

Trusting Our Kids To Take the Torch

Short articles in the style of a 5-day devotional reflection & journal prompt through a deconstructionist agnostic lens.

Via Ashia Ray & Raising Luminaries

Stay Curious, Stand Brave & Smash The Kyriarchy

Raising Luminaries reduces the workload on overworked caregivers
igniting the next generation of kind & courageous leaders

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Ashia (they/them or she/her)

I’m an Autistic, multiracial (Chinese/Irish) 2nd-generation settler raising two children alongside my partner on the homelands of the Wampanoag and Massachusett people. My goal with Raising Luminaries is to collaborate with families and educators in raising the next generation of kind & courageous leaders, so we can all smash the kyriarchy together.

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2 comments

Rs September 14, 2023 - 9:31 PM
0

hi there i’m not able to access the PRE-K+
My Rights: Affirmation Cards in the Children’s Rights Toolkit.. it takes me to a google drive link & says I need to request access…

Reply
Ashia September 16, 2023 - 2:30 PM
0

Thanks for pointing this out! I’ve opened access to the public, so you should be able to see it now. Reach out if you have any questions or need help.

Reply

RAISING LUMINARIES

Hi, I’m Ashia, founder & Head Custodian of Infodumpery for Raising Luminaries.

I create free tool kits to help overworked caregivers ignite the next generation of leaders.

ABOUT | MISSION | FINANCIALS | ACCOUNTABILITY

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

STAY IN TOUCH

Get free monthly email notifications when I publish new Family Action Toolkits

FREE STUFF

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

SHOP

Posts may contain affiliate links and  sponsorships, which allow me to earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

AFFILIATE POLICY

PARTNERS IN CAHOOTS

TOPICS

CONTACT

RECIPROCATE

Collaborate with Raising Luminaries on an issue important to you.

You’re welcome to share & boost this toolkit, with attribution to Raising Luminaries.

Raising Luminaries is anchored in the land of the Wampanoag & Massachusett People.
Support Wôpanâak early childhood education here.

©2023 Ashia Ray of Raising Luminaries™. All rights reserved.

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Photographs via Unsplash & Illustrations via Storyset, used with permission.

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