Children’s Day is a celebration of the wellbeing, joy, and rights of children—observed around the world in many different ways. In Mexico, Día del Niño y la Niña is celebrated on April 30th. It is not only a day to advocate for the rights of children, but also a time to honor the innocence, play, and freedom that every child deserves.
Over the weekend, El Tímpano attended a Día del Niño y la Niña celebration at East Oakland’s Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, where dozens of organizations gathered to offer resources and services. Families came together to enjoy the day’s activities—kids eating ice cream, playing games, and waiting patiently for toy giveaways.
We took this opportunity to ask both children and adults to reflect on what it means to be a child.
El Tímpano designed an activity using paper kites and invited participants to write their messages and place them against a blue sky backdrop. We asked children: What would you like adults to know about being a kid? What advice would you give them? We invited adults and parents to reconnect with their younger selves: What advice would you give your six-year-old self? We also shared this prompt with our network of over 6,500 SMS text message subscribers.
Adults reflected on a desire to slow down and savor their youth—to be more patient with themselves growing up. Many offered words of encouragement to their younger selves: to keep going, to believe in their dreams, even when others doubt them.
Children, in turn, reminded adults to play more, to enjoy life, and to value friendship. Some of the older kids shared a simple but powerful reminder: that adults were once children too—and should continue to make space for themselves.
By the end of the day, the sky was filled with kites carrying messages of play, nostalgia, and hope.
These are the words our community shared.
Everything has its time and you will be able to achieve what you once dreamed of.”
Mariela Martinez, 32, Oakland
As a child, I wanted many things and I always loved nature and animals. I wanted to have a zoo and be a veterinarian. Now I’m content with putting out feeders for the birds and feeding the hummingbirds.”
Caridad, 53, Hayward
You could spend your childhood playing.”
Belinda Managing Matul, 10, Oakland
I would tell that little girl that she is not alone, that there are angels who accompany and protect her. Now, as an adult, I tell her that it’s all over and that life is beautiful and we must enjoy every moment without fearing happiness ”
Ana, 51, Castro Valley
“Don’t say you can’t do it if you haven’t tried.” —Henry Velasquez, 37, Oakland Credit: Hiram Alejandro Durán for El Tímpano/CatchLight Local/Report for America corps member
I would tell her that I embrace her with all my heart and that I am proud of the woman we have become, that all the effort was worth it and that above all we have known how to protect our children.”
Erica, 52, Pittsburg
“Enjoy, study, play, and prepare for the future.”
Tere Murillo, 52, Oakland
I would rather tell a child to enjoy their most cherished toy. And be grateful for time, because when you are a child you have no concept of time. Time doesn’t pass.”
Ambrosio, 82, Oakland
I would tell adults to not have too much on their minds and not be so busy.”
Mario Carrillo Perez, 10, Oakland
[I’d tell her] it’s good to say what she thinks and not stop being herself.”
Tatiana, 34, Fremont
I would tell her not to be afraid, that she was brave enough to face anything and very intelligent, and that she was perfect just the way she was.”
Roselvy, San Lorenzo
I would tell her to go back to those times.”
Victoria Ramos-Avila, 66, Oakland
I would tell her to love herself more, to forgive herself, and that in 50 years we will meet again, because at this stage, she will look at things without complicating them, she will appreciate innocence and enjoy the details again.”
Estrella, 58, San Lorenzo
I’d say chase your dreams and don’t listen to negative things.”
Rohit, 32, Oakland
I would tell my 6 year old self to enjoy life before it’s too late to realize the reality of life. Learn everything you can and don’t fear anything. Don’t chase but, try to achieve it through hard work and dignity, and never forget to love yourself.”
Riya, 27, Oakland
I think that when you are little, the greatest happiness is being with your mom and dad and enjoying the good and bad times together with them. Being happy, even if you are poor, everything is beautiful: playing ball, running around with your parents, planting corn, picking tomatoes in the field—that is happiness. Going to school and playing with your classmates, and it doesn’t matter if you eat your little bean tacos with a fried egg. For me, childhood was very beautiful.”
Lucia, Oakland
I would tell her that she is strong, she is intelligent, and that she shouldn’t compare herself to her schoolmates.”
Michelle, 50, Belmont
I would tell her to continue enjoying her childhood and not to give up, to hug her dad because even if he doesn’t show it, he loves her, and to keep playing with her mom and her siblings and not to give up, to learn to defend herself against predators, and not to stay silent…and that I love her very much and that she should give herself lots of hugs.”
Gloria, 59, Richmond
Estudiar más [y] aprovechar el tiempo.”
Adela, 59, Oakland
“Disfruta la vida.”
Eduardo Martínez, 37, Oakland
