Özet:

Children’s rights education is to enable children to gain the necessary social behaviors and essential knowledge for creating a democratic society that is based on respecting human rights. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preparation, application and assessment of a curriculum for teaching children’s rights in elementary education. The research was designed as action research. The study was conducted in 2011-2012 education year during spring term in Ankara with the participation of 5th grade students whose families have middle and low income levels. Within the context of this study is a part of 11-weeks children’s rights education curriculum which comprises activities to enhance awareness about children’s rights were implemented. Protection rights activities were conducted from 6th weeks to 10th weeks. During the implementation period, in line with their ordinary study curriculum, students were requested to participate in various activities at least for 2 days in a week (6 hours) about kidnapping, protection from all forms of violence, child labor, sexual exploitation, refugee children, the right of privacy, other forms of exploitation, children in the war detention and punishment. Data collected in this study were based on both qualitative and quantitative methods. As a result of the quantitative and qualitative assessments done over the curriculum, it is revealed that the study group had demonstrated a clear progress on learning of children’s rights, using this knowledge as a behavior, developing an awareness of these rights and freedoms. A significant difference was seen on students about teaching children about their rights. Moreover, it was revealed that a great awareness was seen in the study group about children’s rights.

Anahtar Kelimeler: