Vocabulary

Blessing is a beneficial thing for which one is grateful, or something that brings well-being.
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful or the readiness to show appreciation for, and to return, kindness. 
Peace is freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. It is also freedom from, or the cessation of war and violence. 
Mindfulness is the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. It is also a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
Peacemaker is a person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries.

Purpose - 
Gratitude

Picture
The emphasis in the Peace unit is on enabling each child to become a peacemaker, and in doing so, education can fulfil its purpose of empowering children to uphold social justice in their pursuit of international peace. To know what true peace is requires that each of us first be mindful and grateful for all the blessings in our lives. In this sub-unit, children first identify all the blessings in their lives for which they are grateful. 
Child Asks: What are the things I am grateful for in my life. 
Children's Rights Education enables the child to identify all the things we can be grateful for in our lives.
Child Answers: There are so many things I can be grateful for.

Classroom Learning Activities

1. Practicing Mindfulness to Make Us Grateful
Picture
Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children is the fruit of decades of development and innovation in the Plum Village community's collective practice with children. Based on Thich Nhat Hanh's thirty years of teaching mindfulness and compassion to parents, teachers, and children, the book and enclosed CD covers a wide range of contemplative and fun activities parents and educators can do with their children or students. They are designed to help relieve stress, increase concentration, nourish gratitude and confidence, deal with difficult emotions, touch our interconnection with nature, and improve communication.
Planting Seeds offers insight, concrete activities, and curricula that parents and educators can apply in school settings, in their local communities or at home, in a way that is meaningful and inviting to children. The key practices presented include mindful breathing and walking, inviting the bell, pebble meditation, the Two Promises or ethical guidelines for children, children's versions of Touching the Earth and Deep Relaxation, eating meditation and dealing with conflict and strong emotions. Also included are the lyrics to the songs on the enclosed CD that summarize and reinforce the key teachings, as well as a chapter on dealing effectively with conflict in the classroom or difficult group.

See more on Thich Nhat Hahn and his book: Planting Seeds: Practicing Mindfulness with Children
Original Planting Seeds: The Power of Mindfulness for Children

Relevant Convention Articles

Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision.
Article 6
1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life.
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.
Article 38
1. States Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflicts which are relevant to the child.
2. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not attained the age of fifteen years do not take a direct part in hostilities.
3. States Parties shall refrain from recruiting any person who has not attained the age of fifteen years into their armed forces. In recruiting among those persons who have attained the age of fifteen years but who have not attained the age of eighteen years, States Parties shall endeavour to give priority to those who are oldest.
4. In accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population in armed conflicts, States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict.

Online Resources and References