National Child Day 2007 - The Right to Be Active

The theme for National Child Day 2007 is The Right to be Active. The theme was chosen to encourage physical activity among children and inform parents, caregivers and educators that physical activity is essential to children’s health and well-being. This theme also reflects Canada’s commitments under Article 24 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, which recognizes children’s right to be healthy and enjoy the highest attainable standard of health. 

Starting children off with a healthy, physically active lifestyle, promotes healthy growth and development, better social development and increased self-confidence to pursue their goals for the future.  The theme The Right to be Active promotes physical activity among children and shows parents, caregivers and educators that physical activity is essential to children’s health, development and well-being. This theme is in line with the Government of Canada’s support of initiatives that encourage children physical activity and social development such as the Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Contribution Program, the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit and Canada’s Physical Activity Guides to Healthy Active Living.

Previous National Child Day themes included: 2006 - The Right to be Heard, emphasizing each child's right to have a voice in matters that affect them; 2005 - The Right to Play, which encouraged Canadians to consider the role of play, leisure and rest in the well-being of their children.