It may look very different in different contexts - it could be a tent, a fenced-off area under the shade of a tree, or a room used specifically for this purpose, but it should always be safe and accessible to children of different genders, ages and abilities. Child-friendly centres are established to provide a safe, predictable, & stimulating environment where children can play and participate in recreation, leisure and learning activities designed to support their resilience and wellbeing.
Most children miss a range of children's activities, tailored to various age groups. There are fun, recreational activities such as games, sports, singing and drama as well as structured play, arts and crafts and resilience and life skills. Child friendly Centres could be of support in providing non-formal education and learning activities which are important for children whose education has been disrupted by crisis.
Children are encouraged to take part in activities such as creative play, group discussions, story-telling and drama that allow them to express their feelings and explore any problems they might be having. Often children experience fear, grief, loss and uncertainty during a crisis or displacement and these activities provide a safe space where they can process their experiences.
Regular contact with children at a child-friendly Centre allows protection workers to observe children and identify those who are vulnerable or experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or violence and provide necessary support and appropriate referrals. It also provides the opportunity to identify children who are experiencing severe distress and might be in need of more specialized support, and refer them to the relevant services.
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