Liangnong Town in Yuyao City adheres to the principle of prioritizing children’s development, leveraging its unique characteristics and pursuing innovative approaches. The town has integrated the concept of “viewing the village from a one-meter height” into every aspect of rural development, infusing child-friendly elements into various facets of the community. It has built diverse child-friendly spaces, developed multi-dimensional educational tourism routes, and set “Inheriting the Original Mission, Friendly Journey for Children” as the overarching goal for children’s development across the town. With a focus on the distinctive heritage of the “Red Villages of Eastern Zhejiang,” the town is actively working to create child-friendly rural areas, fostering the integration of the cultural tourism industry with the development of these child-friendly villages.

Targeting Children’s Needs and Encouraging Them to Become “Young Builders of Rural Areas”

Leveraging the rich resources of Hengkantou Village—including historic sites from the Eastern Zhejiang Anti-Japanese Base, the Family Heritage Pavilion at the New Era Civilization Practice Center, as well as “red” resources like the small train route, “Red Core” plant factory, Baiguo Garden, and Chuxin Farm—the village has focused on creating child-centric educational experiences. With children’s needs as a priority, it has established bases for patriotic education, developed red-themed study tours, and designed agricultural learning routes to guide children in building correct values.

Efforts are also being made to encourage children to participate in social governance. The village has established the “Eastern Zhejiang Red Village Children’s Observation Team,” enabling kids to play an active role as “young builders” and ambassadors for the child-friendly rural community. These young representatives are encouraged to offer suggestions and insights on making the village more child-friendly. During this year’s Children’s Day celebrations, 11 “Young Red Village Ambassadors” gathered in the village discussion room to share their ideas on the development of a child-friendly village. Moreover, from their unique perspectives, these young participants personally contributed to upgrading the slide in the village’s Farmer’s Park, turning it into an even more beloved recreation space for children.

Enhancing the “Nongli Youjia” Brand to Foster a Child-Friendly Atmosphere

Focusing on strengthening family education and fostering positive family values, Liangnong Town has developed the “Nongli Youjia” family education brand. In collaboration with social organizations, it has launched the “Nongli Youjia” family education program in village community centers, aiming to improve the community’s understanding of family education. The initiative seeks to promote harmony in spousal and parent-child relationships, help families adopt effective parenting methods, and support the physical and mental well-being of children.

To create a child-friendly environment within the village, the town is enhancing children’s services and increasing child-friendly spaces. It has designed a series of “Red” scenarios, including “Little Hands Turn Red,” “Little Stars Turn Red,” “Little Cheeks Turn Red,” “Little Flowers Turn Red,” and “Little Fruits Turn Red.” These themed scenarios aim to create an interconnected network of child-friendly experiences that integrate traffic safety, ecological awareness, cultural arts, and more, offering children a comprehensive red-themed rural cultural experience. Additionally, the town is using its “Red Radio” as a platform, tapping into the resources of a young media reporters’ group. Through the eyes of children, the initiative tells engaging stories about the region’s revolutionary heritage, ensuring that the legacy of red culture is passed down to future generations.

Optimizing Spaces for Children and Actively Creating a Child-Friendly Rural Environment

By integrating various public service resources at the village level, efforts are being made to incorporate child-friendly elements into every corner of the village. Special focus is given to developing indoor spaces, such as establishing a women’s and children’s center, a children’s home, and a reading area for kids within the Party and Community Service Center in Hengkantou Village. Additionally, the village’s tourism complex features educational spaces like a 4D cinema and a VR experience center aimed at promoting science education.

Outdoor spaces are also being enhanced collaboratively. A 12-acre parent-child-friendly lawn has been developed with new play facilities and photo-worthy spots for children. Recreational areas like the Siming Fun Park and Keyi Garden provide children with places for daily activities, exploration, and relaxation. Utilizing resources like the village’s Women’s Law Education Garden and Women’s Nursery, dedicated areas such as a children’s legal education path and an agricultural practice base have been established. These include interactive facilities for learning, like a vegetable-themed “flip-and-learn” game, offering hands-on opportunities for kids to explore agricultural activities.