Listen to children through your actions.

The 2026 Children's Forum, themed "Say No to Corporal Punishment - Listen to Children, Protect Through Action," has become a meaningful space for dialogue, where children boldly speak out about the harm caused by violence and express their desire to be loved, listened to, and respected in their families, schools, and society.

The short play "The Father's Awakening" was presented by students from Ngu Loc Secondary School at the forum.

When children speak up

The 2026 Children's Forum is organized within the framework of the project "Enhancing community capacity in preventing and combating physical violence against children in Thanh Hoa province," funded by Terre des Hommes (Federal Republic of Germany), aiming to spread the message of positive, non-violent education for children.

At the forum held in Van Loc commune, the atmosphere in the hall became somber several times as students shared their feelings of hurt whenever they were scolded for not doing well in school, making mistakes, or misbehaving. These seemingly small questions prompted reflection from many adults: "Why do so many adults still use corporal punishment to discipline their children?", "Should adults apologize to children when they do something wrong?"...

Gone are the usual shyness; many students have boldly expressed their thoughts in front of a crowd. Nguyen Thi Minh Anh, a 7th-grade student, shared that what saddened her most wasn't being punished, but when adults refused to listen. There were times when she just wanted to explain, but adults often got angry and claimed that children had no right to speak.

One of the most moving performances at the forum was the short play "The Father's Awakening," performed by students from Ngu Loc Secondary School. The play depicted the story of a young child who was frequently beaten by his parents for poor academic performance. From a cheerful student, he became fearful, withdrawn, and gradually lost faith in himself. Only when his parents realized the harm their child was suffering did the family begin to change through listening, talking, and supporting each other.

Besides the theatrical performance, the art exhibition with the theme " A World Without Corporal Punishment" also attracted the attention of many delegates and parents. Dozens of paintings, created by the children with innocent colors, contained many profound messages such as: "Families that listen to their children," "A safe, violence-free school," "An apology can heal," "Friends helping each other when bullied," etc. Particularly impressive was the painting by two students from But Son Secondary School, depicting a small child huddled in a corner of a house amidst the scolding of adults, while on the other side, another child is embraced by their parents, who talk to and encourage them. The message of the painting was concise yet haunting: "Corporal punishment today - callousness tomorrow."

According to the organizers, the experiential activities, dialogues, and art exhibitions not only help children confidently express their thoughts but also create opportunities for adults to better understand children's feelings and aspirations. This will gradually change perceptions about positive education and build a safe environment for children.

Creating a non-violent environment

A notable aspect of this year's forum was the direct participation of parents, teachers, local authorities, and social organizations in the dialogue with children. Instead of one-sided speeches, the program dedicated significant time to adults listening to children's questions, concerns, and suggestions.

Many parents admitted that they used to think scolding their children was a way to discipline them and help them become good people. However, after hearing the children's stories at the forum, they realized that corporal punishment can leave deep psychological scars on children. Ms. Le Thi Hong, a parent attending the program, said: "Sometimes parents get angry and yell at or hit their children without thinking about how it frightens and hurts them. Hearing the children's stories today, I think adults need to learn to control their emotions and talk to their children more."

Beyond just dialogue, the forum also implemented the "Commitment Hand" program, where delegates, parents, teachers, and students jointly wrote pledges of action to protect children. Many messages were written on the commitment board, such as: "Do not use violence to discipline your children," "Listen to your children with your heart," "Spend time talking with your children every day," and "Build a safe and friendly school environment."

According to the organizers, the forum is not simply a playground for children, but also an opportunity for all levels and sectors to better understand the problems children are facing. The opinions, questions, and suggestions of the children will be compiled to serve as a basis for developing action programs on child care, education, and protection in the future. Through this series of activities, the message "Children don't need corporal punishment to grow up" has been strongly disseminated. Instead of anger and coercion, children need to grow up in love, companionship, and respect.

Mr. Trinh Ngoc Dung, Chairman of the Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities, Orphans, and Children's Rights in Thanh Hoa Province, stated: "Education through violence or corporal punishment not only causes physical harm but also leaves long-lasting psychological scars, affecting children's development. Organizing this forum provides an opportunity for children to express their thoughts and desires; it also helps adults better understand the pressures and traumas children may be facing. From there, relevant authorities, sectors, and the community will find more appropriate solutions to build a safe and friendly living environment for children."

Text and photos: Tran Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/lang-nghe-tre-em-bang-hanh-dong-289528.htm