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Expressing yourself

8-12 years old

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What does this mean?

It’s your right to express yourself and share what you think, unless it harms you or others.

No one can tell you what to think or say, it’s your right to express yourself in ways that make sense to you, like singing, dancing, drawing or writing.

You should respect other people’s rights.

EXAMPLE: You are often asked your opinion in school.

Learn more about this right

  • UNCRC Article 13 – It’s your right to express yourself freely and share what you think, unless it harms or offends other people.
  • In school, you are often encouraged to express yourself and give your opinion on different things.
  • The people who write the exams and the curriculum in school (National Council for Curriculum Assessment NCCA) is encouraging Student Voice in schools. This asks schools to allow students express themselves and have more of a say in how they learn at school.
  • It is very easy to express yourself online these days, there are many platforms on which to be creative.
  • Censorship is when the Government says that you are not allowed talk about certain things, or if you speak up and give out about something, the Government will tell you to be quiet if they think that what you say is hurtful to other people.
  • The Constitution is a set of rules that help a country run itself.
  • In the Irish Constitution, one of your fundamental rights is to be free to express yourself, although you must not harm or hurt others with what you say.