Activity 1: Sorting Needs & Wants
Why we like it: This activity encourages children to start thinking about ‘needs’ as ‘rights’. It sparks interesting conversations, and there are some grey areas/tricky ones (e.g. bicycle, cell phone)
What you will need: Needs and Wants Hand Cards, piece of paper, marker
How long: 10 min to 30 min
How it works:
- In the video, Giggles was very excited about getting chocolate bars and roller
skates during her visit to Canada. Are these ‘needs’ or ‘wants’? Can you help
Giggles to sort out the difference with these cards? - On a piece of paper, ask children to draw a line in the middle of the page and
write “Needs’ on one side and ‘Wants’ on the other side - Individually or in pairs, invite children to group the cards based on what is ‘need’ or ‘want’
| NEEDS | WANTS |
| Decent shelter (article 27) Nutritious food (article 24) Protection from abuse and neglect (article 19) Education (articles 28, 29) Healthcare (article 24) Fair-treatment and non-discrimination (article 2) Clean air (article 24) Opportunities to share opinions (article 12) Playgrounds and recreation (article 30) Clean water (article 24) Opportunities to practice your own culture, language, and religion (article 31) |
Clothes in the latest style A bicycle Holiday trips Your own bedroom A tablet or computer A T.V. Money to spend as you like Fast food |
Reflection:
- What items did you put in each group? What were your reasons?
- Was there anything that was hard or tricky to decide? Why?
- How are ‘needs’ connected to child ‘rights’?
Tips & variations: Ask students to colour, cut out the cards and glue them on a page.
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