Education

Education

Child’s play is serious business

By the Editorial Staff

Friday | November 29, 2013 | 9:28 AM | Last update: September 22, 2016, 4:07 PM (Brasilia time)

Playing tag, hide-and-seek, playing with dolls or educational games, riding a bicycle and playing ball provide children with a happy and healthy childhood. Many people do not know this, but playing is a right that every child can exercise and one that is protected by law. Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, promulgated by the United Nations (UN), advocates playing as a basic right. Therefore, like so many other rights, it needs to be guaranteed worldwide.

Vivian R. Ferreira

Children can develop their physical, motor, and social abilities and skills, their reasoning and creativity through games. Playing is the means that children have of communicating with the world. This is when they strengthen their process of socialization with people from different ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds. Therefore, playing must be combined with the guarantee of other important elements in childhood, like education, food, security, housing, and family.

“promoting play for children means investing. When we invest in this we can be sure that we shall have more balanced and less violent citizens, because playing promotes a culture of peace. Children who play learn how to work in groups, to negotiate, to respect rules, and to strive and win on their own merit,” says Marilena Flores Martins, social worker, socio-cultural animator, and President of the Associação Brasileira pelo Direito de Brincar [Brazilian Association for the Right to Play] (IPA Brasil).

Vivian R. Ferreira

These are also activities that favor the health of the body and the mind. When children play they are benefiting their body by avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, for example, while mentally they are strengthening feelings of confidence, self-esteem, balance, and tranquility. Emotionally, they find more joy in living. In fact, depending on the game, many children end up already identifying the profession they will tend to practice later in life.

PLAYING WITH GOODWILL

For this reason children are taken seriously at the Legion of Good Will (LBV), because it recognizes their importance in building a better future for everybody, as the President of the Organization, José de Paiva Netto, states: “World stability begins in the hearts of children. That is why at the LBV we have been applying for so many years now the Pedagogy of Affection*.”

The LBV invests heavily in education. It guarantees the right to full development to children by means of its schools and educational and social assistance programs, which are also aimed at families. With the motto of ‘Forming Brain and Heart’, it provides leisure facilities, sports, music, and art workshops in its teaching establishments in after-school hours. These quality services are also offered to children from the public education system. Learn more about the LBV’s Pedagogy.

Children

SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
LA PAZ/BOLIVIA — LBV — Children: The Future in the Present! Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12, who are looked after in the Community Centers for Social Assistance during their off-school hours, take part in the program. The initiative contributes towards child protagonism, because it takes into consideration the life stories and singular nature of children, by means of activities that awaken their talents and broaden their skills, enable the experience of values, and strengthen the bonds between family members.
LA PAZ/BOLIVIA — LBV — Children: The Future in the Present! Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12, who are looked after in the Community Centers for Social Assistance during their off-school hours, take part in the program. The initiative contributes towards child protagonism, because it takes into consideration the life stories and singular nature of children, by means of activities that awaken their talents and broaden their skills, enable the experience of values, and strengthen the bonds between family members.(Foto: Leilla Tonin)
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL — The educational unit of the Legion of Good Will contributes to the cultural education of the learners by encouraging them to develop reading habits. This support is given from early childhood, when they are still in preschool.
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL — The educational unit of the Legion of Good Will contributes to the cultural education of the learners by encouraging them to develop reading habits. This support is given from early childhood, when they are still in preschool.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
LA PAZ/BOLIVIA — Before the meals, the children assisted by the LBV pray in a gesture of gratitude and to strengthen the Spirit.
LA PAZ/BOLIVIA — Before the meals, the children assisted by the LBV pray in a gesture of gratitude and to strengthen the Spirit.(Foto: Leilla Tonin)
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL – The recreational spaces, such as the school’s Toy Library, are equipped with pedagogical games, which allow students to develop motor, intellectual, and emotional skills, such as concentration, autonomy, and socialization.
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL – The recreational spaces, such as the school’s Toy Library, are equipped with pedagogical games, which allow students to develop motor, intellectual, and emotional skills, such as concentration, autonomy, and socialization. (Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
BUENOS AIRES/ARGENTINA — LBV - Children: The Future in the Present! Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12, who are looked after in the Community Centers for Social Assistance during their off-school hours, take part in the program. The initiative contributes towards child protagonism, because it takes into consideration the life stories and singular nature of children, by means of activities that awaken their talents and broaden their skills, enable the experience of values, and strengthen the bonds between family members.
BUENOS AIRES/ARGENTINA — LBV - Children: The Future in the Present! Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12, who are looked after in the Community Centers for Social Assistance during their off-school hours, take part in the program. The initiative contributes towards child protagonism, because it takes into consideration the life stories and singular nature of children, by means of activities that awaken their talents and broaden their skills, enable the experience of values, and strengthen the bonds between family members.
BELÉM/BRAZIL — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
BELÉM/BRAZIL — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
LA PAZ/BOLIVIA — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
LA PAZ/BOLIVIA — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
ASUNCION/PARAGUAY — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
ASUNCION/PARAGUAY — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
TAGUATINGA/BRAZIL — The menu, made by specialized professionals, is adequate to each age group, aiming the complete development of the little ones. In the LBV, the children learn from a very young age about the importance of not wasting food. The topic is also developed in the activity classes in a playful and didactic language.
TAGUATINGA/BRAZIL — The menu, made by specialized professionals, is adequate to each age group, aiming the complete development of the little ones. In the LBV, the children learn from a very young age about the importance of not wasting food. The topic is also developed in the activity classes in a playful and didactic language.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
JUIZ DE FORA/BRAZIL —The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.
JUIZ DE FORA/BRAZIL —The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.(Foto: Fabiana Ambrosio)
MANAUS/BRAZIL — The LBV proposes the adoption of a teaching platform not restricted to curricular content, but one also capable of fostering a renewed awareness of planetary citizenship with an effect on other spheres of society.
MANAUS/BRAZIL — The LBV proposes the adoption of a teaching platform not restricted to curricular content, but one also capable of fostering a renewed awareness of planetary citizenship with an effect on other spheres of society.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
CURITIBA/BRAZIL — The recreational spaces, such as the school’s Toy Library, are equipped with pedagogical games, which allow students to develop motor, intellectual, and emotional skills, such as concentration, autonomy, and socialization.
CURITIBA/BRAZIL — The recreational spaces, such as the school’s Toy Library, are equipped with pedagogical games, which allow students to develop motor, intellectual, and emotional skills, such as concentration, autonomy, and socialization. (Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
SALVADOR/BRAZIL — The children assisted by the LBV rejoice in participating in the parade in commemoration of the Brazilian Independence Day. Traditionally, the Legion of Good Will displays in the front of the parade a Majestic Picture of Jesus, the Ecumenical Christ, the Divine Statesman.
SALVADOR/BRAZIL — The children assisted by the LBV rejoice in participating in the parade in commemoration of the Brazilian Independence Day. Traditionally, the Legion of Good Will displays in the front of the parade a Majestic Picture of Jesus, the Ecumenical Christ, the Divine Statesman.
BELÉM/BRAZIL — The LBV proposes the adoption of a teaching platform not restricted to curricular content, but one also capable of fostering a renewed awareness of planetary citizenship with an effect on other spheres of society.
BELÉM/BRAZIL — The LBV proposes the adoption of a teaching platform not restricted to curricular content, but one also capable of fostering a renewed awareness of planetary citizenship with an effect on other spheres of society.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
PORTO/PORTUGAL — The LBV’s Happy Smile Program teaches healthy oral habits in schools, institutions, day care centers, and homes in the city of Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon (Portugal).
PORTO/PORTUGAL — The LBV’s Happy Smile Program teaches healthy oral habits in schools, institutions, day care centers, and homes in the city of Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon (Portugal).
SALVADOR/BRAZIL — In the LBV schools, the music classes are part of the academic curriculum. The junior musicians are divided in the study of the transverse flute, violin, violoncello, viola, and clarinet.
SALVADOR/BRAZIL — In the LBV schools, the music classes are part of the academic curriculum. The junior musicians are divided in the study of the transverse flute, violin, violoncello, viola, and clarinet. (Foto: Tatiane Oliveira)
CURITIBA/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
CURITIBA/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
JOÃO PESSOA/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.
JOÃO PESSOA/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.(Foto: Jean Carlos)
GOIÂNIA/BRAZIL — The educational unit of the Legion of Good Will contributes to the cultural education of the learners by encouraging them to develop reading habits. This support is given from early childhood, when they are still in preschool.
GOIÂNIA/BRAZIL — The educational unit of the Legion of Good Will contributes to the cultural education of the learners by encouraging them to develop reading habits. This support is given from early childhood, when they are still in preschool.(Foto: Egeziel Carlos)
MANAUS/BRAZIL — The LBV believes in the future of millions of children and because of that it develops activities full of ludic, cultural, artistic, and sportive experience, such as forms of expression, interaction, learning, companionship, and social protection.
MANAUS/BRAZIL — The LBV believes in the future of millions of children and because of that it develops activities full of ludic, cultural, artistic, and sportive experience, such as forms of expression, interaction, learning, companionship, and social protection.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
BUENOS AIRES/ARGENTINA — LBV - Children: The Future in the Present! Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12, who are looked after in the Community Centers for Social Assistance during their off-school hours, take part in the program. The initiative contributes towards child protagonism, because it takes into consideration the life stories and singular nature of children, by means of activities that awaken their talents and broaden their skills, enable the experience of values, and strengthen the bonds between family members.
BUENOS AIRES/ARGENTINA — LBV - Children: The Future in the Present! Boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12, who are looked after in the Community Centers for Social Assistance during their off-school hours, take part in the program. The initiative contributes towards child protagonism, because it takes into consideration the life stories and singular nature of children, by means of activities that awaken their talents and broaden their skills, enable the experience of values, and strengthen the bonds between family members.
COIMBRA/PORTUGAL — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
COIMBRA/PORTUGAL — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
COIMBRA/PORTUGAL — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
COIMBRA/PORTUGAL — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
NEW JERSEY/USA — Educating with Ecumenical Spirituality is the basis of the pedagogical proposal applied to the teaching network and socio- educational programs of the Legion of Good Will. Therefore, the Organization bases itself on the Pedagogy of Affection (directed at children up to the age of 10) and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy (for children from the age of 11 and up), both created by the President of the LBV, José de Paiva Netto.
NEW JERSEY/USA — Educating with Ecumenical Spirituality is the basis of the pedagogical proposal applied to the teaching network and socio- educational programs of the Legion of Good Will. Therefore, the Organization bases itself on the Pedagogy of Affection (directed at children up to the age of 10) and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy (for children from the age of 11 and up), both created by the President of the LBV, José de Paiva Netto.
COIMBRA/PORTUGAL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.
COIMBRA/PORTUGAL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.
MACEIÓ/BRAZIL — Teachers and children from the LBV participating in a traffic safety workshop. Among the topics addressed were the crosswalk and traffic signs. During the activity those assisted by the Organization prepared materials regarding the topics.
MACEIÓ/BRAZIL — Teachers and children from the LBV participating in a traffic safety workshop. Among the topics addressed were the crosswalk and traffic signs. During the activity those assisted by the Organization prepared materials regarding the topics.(Foto: Verônica Alexandre)
MONTEVIDEO/URUGUAY — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.
MONTEVIDEO/URUGUAY — In a safe and well-cared for environment, the Organization educates and instills values of citizenship, thus raising the self-esteem of those assisted. In each of its units, contributors and volunteers receive professional training so they can better assist the people in need.(Foto: Archivo BV)
MANAUS/BRAZIL — The menu, made by specialized professionals, is adequate to each age group, aiming the complete development of the little ones. In the LBV, the children learn from a very young age about the importance of not wasting food. The topic is also developed in the activity classes in a playful and didactic language.
MANAUS/BRAZIL — The menu, made by specialized professionals, is adequate to each age group, aiming the complete development of the little ones. In the LBV, the children learn from a very young age about the importance of not wasting food. The topic is also developed in the activity classes in a playful and didactic language. (Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
BUENOS AIRES/ARGENTINA — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
BUENOS AIRES/ARGENTINA — The LBV’s schools are committed to educating with Ecumenical Spirituality, forming “Brain and Heart”, as defines the Organization’s President, José de Paiva Netto.
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.
SÃO PAULO/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
FOZ DO IGUAÇU/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.
FOZ DO IGUAÇU/BRAZIL — The LBV’s schools deal with sustainability in a special way. In educational activities and projects, children learn from an early age about the importance of conserving Nature, life, and the equilibrium that exists in our relationship with the environment.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
ANANINDEUA/BRAZIL — A+ Child - Without Education There is no Future! This action is of economic benefit to parents who lack the resources to buy school supplies. At the beginning of the school year, more than 14,000 kits with school supplies are given to the children and teenagers who attend the Organization’s schools.
ANANINDEUA/BRAZIL — A+ Child - Without Education There is no Future! This action is of economic benefit to parents who lack the resources to buy school supplies. At the beginning of the school year, more than 14,000 kits with school supplies are given to the children and teenagers who attend the Organization’s schools.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)
ASUNCION/PARAGUAY — Educating with Ecumenical Spirituality is the basis of the pedagogical proposal applied to the teaching network and socio- educational programs of the Legion of Good Will. Therefore, the Organization bases itself on the Pedagogy of Affection (directed at children up to the age of 10) and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy (for children from the age of 11 and up), both created by the President of the LBV, José de Paiva Netto.
ASUNCION/PARAGUAY — Educating with Ecumenical Spirituality is the basis of the pedagogical proposal applied to the teaching network and socio- educational programs of the Legion of Good Will. Therefore, the Organization bases itself on the Pedagogy of Affection (directed at children up to the age of 10) and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy (for children from the age of 11 and up), both created by the President of the LBV, José de Paiva Netto.
CURITIBA/BRAZIL — Educating with Ecumenical Spirituality is the basis of the pedagogical proposal applied to the teaching network and socio- educational programs of the Legion of Good Will. Therefore, the Organization bases itself on the Pedagogy of Affection (directed at children up to the age of 10) and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy (for children from the age of 11 and up), both created by the President of the LBV, José de Paiva Netto.
CURITIBA/BRAZIL — Educating with Ecumenical Spirituality is the basis of the pedagogical proposal applied to the teaching network and socio- educational programs of the Legion of Good Will. Therefore, the Organization bases itself on the Pedagogy of Affection (directed at children up to the age of 10) and the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy (for children from the age of 11 and up), both created by the President of the LBV, José de Paiva Netto.(Foto: Vivian R. Ferreira)

With all their fundamental rights guaranteed, the Legion of Good Will applies its own educational methodology in all its actions in order to encourage the autonomy of these citizens that transform society into a fairer and more egalitarian one. In an article forwarded to the United Nations during an event that occurred in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2011, Paiva Netto, creator of the Organization’s Pedagogy, writes: “This is our most main function: to instruct, educate, and re-educate ourselves so we can efficiently instruct, educate and re-educate others. Teaching for me is not just transmitting the ABC of earthly science, even if it is the most advanced Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy, etc. If there is no good food for the Soul, this instructional learning will lead the Human Being without this good nutrition to direct their thoughts to actions that are increasingly destructive. That is why Education, when it is done right, sets free. And with Ecumenical Spirituality it sublimes.”

Visit the Organization in one of the seven countries where it has autonomous bases (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Portugal, United States, and Uruguay) and/or access www.legionofgoodwill.org to make your online donation. For more information write to english@boavontade.com. 

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*Pedagogy of Affection — Educational proposal of the Legion of Good Will, advocated by educator Paiva Netto, aimed at children up to 10 years old. It is part of the Good Will Pedagogy, along with the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy for children from the age of 11 and up. 

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