A height of 1 meter is not only a ruler, but also a respect for children
2024-11-26
Recently, the Social Development Department of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Office of the State Council Working Committee on Women and Children jointly released the "Report on the Development of Child Friendly Cities in China (2024)". The report shows that as of now, 93 cities across the country have entered the scope of national child friendly city construction, covering 31 provinces, regions and municipalities. More and more places are paying attention to formulating and implementing social policies and improving public services from the perspective of "one meter height". Viewing the city from a height of 1 meter "is a concrete manifestation of the humanistic care of" squatting down to see children "in urban planning and design. It means starting from the perspective of children, deeply responding to their needs, and ensuring that children equally enjoy urban resources. A city's care, respect, and warmth towards children also promote a safer, more inclusive, and fun urban environment. Adhering to the concept of child friendliness and integrating it into the urban fabric has become a consensus in many cities, and has been put into numerous innovative practices, accumulating valuable experience. For example, the amusement facilities in Shenzhen Children's Park are customized according to children's height, weight, and athletic ability. The small slide slope is suitable, and the swing seat height and swing amplitude are just right, fully considering the needs and experiences of children of different ages, allowing children to play freely in a safe and comfortable environment, and feel happiness and freedom. For example, the Xuhui Binjiang Children's Sports Zone in Shanghai focuses on children's physical exercise and healthy growth. The design height and size of sports facilities such as basketball hoops and football gates have been precisely adjusted. Soft materials are laid on the community children's trails, and rest stations along the way provide drinking water facilities and entertainment props, perfectly creating a world of play that respects children. For example, Qingdao has set up a "1-meter observation deck" in the coastal beach scenic area. The height of the steps and the position of the handrails are designed according to the height of children. Children can safely climb onto the observation deck to enjoy the sea view, and their curiosity and exploratory desire are stimulated by delicate care. From the perspective of children's psychological development, the existence of the "1-meter height" in cities has profound significance. Childhood is a critical stage for the formation and development of cognitive, emotional, and social abilities. In urban environments that adhere to the "1-meter height" concept, children feel respected and cared for, and their self-efficacy is enhanced. When various facilities and services at a height of 1 meter are presented to children, it can help them establish the belief of "I can", stimulate their confidence and exploratory desire, and enable them to establish a sense of security in a familiar and suitable environment for their height. For example, they can easily use park drinking water facilities, library tables and chairs, and they will believe that they can handle life independently, thereby enhancing their sense of autonomy. By operating instruments and observing models in the children's science popularization park, constantly asking questions and solving problems, their curiosity and exploratory desire can be more fully stimulated. In addition, the "1-meter height" of the city also creates richer social opportunities for children. In community children's activity areas and child friendly parks, children play and cooperate with their peers, learn to listen, express themselves, understand and tolerate, and improve their social and teamwork abilities. This helps them actively face external challenges, shape optimistic personalities and good interpersonal relationships, and lay a solid foundation for their future integration into society. The "1-meter height" of a city measures the city's respect for children and the society's sense of responsibility for the future. At present, the construction of child friendly cities in China is still in its infancy, and there is still much room for improvement in how to give children more full respect and more meticulous care. This requires collaborative efforts from all sectors of society, listening more to the voices of children, and making the "1-meter height" the most beautiful scenery in the city. Specifically, in the field of education, educators should actively explore innovation, promote "1-meter high" education into the classroom, and cultivate children's self-protection awareness and sense of responsibility to participate in urban construction through curriculum design, campus activities, and other methods. For example, organizing the "I am a City Little Designer" activity to encourage children to come up with their creative ideas for the "1-meter high" facilities and spaces in the city, and organizing the implementation of some feasible plans, cultivating children's sense of ownership and innovative thinking from an early age. In terms of social participation, encourage enterprises, social organizations, and volunteers to actively participate in the construction of child friendly cities, and gather multiple forces to support the development of child friendly projects. For example, organizing various children's public welfare activities and community services, regularly holding children's cultural festivals, and enriching children's spiritual and cultural life; Provide companionship, counseling, and assistance to children in the form of volunteer service, and offer them more care and support. In addition, strengthening the linkage between families, schools, and communities, increasing parents' awareness and support for the concept of "1-meter height", and jointly creating a good growth environment for children, forming a three in one child growth support network of family, school, and community. The "1-meter height" of a city is a measure of its level of civilization. May the "1-meter perspective" be more prevalent in cities and extended to vast rural areas, actively promoting child friendly transformation, jointly promoting a better life for children, and jointly outlining a bright future for cities. (New Society)
Edit：Luo yu Responsible editor：Wang er dong
Source：GMW.cn
Special statement: if the pictures and texts reproduced or quoted on this site infringe your legitimate rights and interests, please contact this site, and this site will correct and delete them in time. For copyright issues and website cooperation, please contact through outlook new era email：lwxsd@liaowanghn.com
Think Tank
Recommended Reading Change it 
Home
