The Right to an Adequate Standard of Living: Human Rights Education in the Elementary Classroom

Abstract

Around the world, families living in poverty without access to food, water, housing, and medical care face daily violations of their human rights. These harsh realities are devastating. As an elementary school teacher, I am compelled to bring awareness of social issues to children. While awareness naturally starts with an appreciation for the rights honored in our own lives, I believe it is important to extend that understanding beyond the individual. For a long time as an educator, I did not consider the value of delving deeper into these issues and inspiring activism in young learners. Like many others, I thought that these issues were too complex for young minds to grasp. But after years of listening to my students talk about their own experiences with fairness, I realized the potential of expanding upon what I consider to be children’s innate sense of justice.