Child-friendly spaces

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Child-friendly spaces are an initiative of Teachers Without Borders, a global organisation that supports teachers as they respond to the educational needs of children in areas of extreme crisis.

In emergency situations, responding to the needs of children through the creation of safe spaces and contextually and culturally appropriate activities, the process of healing and rebuilding can begin (Humanitarian Coalition, n.d.; Mednick, 2011).

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World Vision (2016) describes child-friendly spaces as “safe places … where children's unique needs can be met. These spaces help children return to a normal routine by offering activities, games and informal education.” Activities can be as simple as offering paper and pencils to draw, to targeted education on how to survive a natural disaster. The common theme is participation and connection to community.

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