Since last April, in Spain we have a law that protects children and adolescents comprehensively: the Organic Law for the Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence. Also known by its acronym, LOPIVI, it contemplates different aspects related to the protection of children and adolescents from a preventive approach with the aim of establishing safe environments for children or the inclusion of the principle of good treatment, guaranteeing the holistic development and non-discrimination of children in the family, health, sports or educational spheres, among other issues. In the educational field, and as of this course, the law will be represented through a new figure: that of the welfare coordinator who, among his functions, will promote measures that ensure the welfare of students and the culture of good treatment, in addition to promoting training plans on prevention, early detection and protection of children and adolescents. However, do the students themselves know what this new rule is about? The non-profit organization Platform for Children offers two didactic guides for families and teachers in which the main aspects of the law are explained, accompanied by a series of activities and resources for students from 8 to 17 years of age. We highlight the most relevant aspects of these documents that can be used both in the classroom and at home.
Activities to explain the LOPIVI to students
The two guides are aimed at students of different ages: from 8 to 12 years old; and from 13 to 17 years old. The structure of the two documents is similar: most relevant aspects of the law, what the guide is for, how to use it and four proposed activities, which can be customized depending on the characteristics of the group of students. Next, we show the main aspects of each of the activities:
I get informed. This first task aims to make students aware of all the rights contained in this law with an adapted and understandable language. In addition, it has an interactive game (from 8 years old and from 13 years old) with a series of levels related to LOPIVI. At the end of the game, and if the student passes the five levels, they get a ‘specialist diploma in LOPIVI’.
I observe and analyze. After knowing the most relevant information, this second activity is aimed at students observing and identifying what violence against children and adolescents is. Also, another objective is to be able to detect situations of violence suffered by students in different environments. For this activity, the students themselves will give their opinion, listen to their classmates and draw as a group. On the other hand, teachers can rely on two annexes of the guide with examples of violence considered by the law itself or measures to protect students from it.
I reflect. In the third activity, the students have to make a large mural in which to show their thoughts and ideas about how they should be the places where their lives take place so that they are spaces free of violence. In this case, the guide makes available to teachers another annex that explains everything the law says about the obligations of adults regarding this problem.
I propose and I commit. The purpose of this last task is for students to make the norm known among their closest environment: friends, family… Through different questions, it is about the students themselves reflecting on the different actions they can carry out to give it to know After completing the activities, the guide proposes a series of questions to the students in order to find out if the students have understood the rule and how they have explained it to their environment.