It is one of a series of guides published by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
The GTCS says that a rights-based approach to education promotes improved relationships, ethos and attainment and achievement.
It comes as legislation incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) makes its way through the Scottish Parliament before being fully incorporated into Scots law. This will place a legal duty on all public bodies to promote and uphold children’s rights.
Ken Muir, chief executive and registrar at GTCS, said: “In support of the UNCRC, this guide provides the opportunity for teachers to reflect on their actions and consider any professional learning needs in relation to strengthening a children’s rights-based approach and effective learner participation in the classroom.”
Two further guides have also been published in the GTCS series. The first offers professional advice for working and engaging online and with technology, the second offers teachers a guide to equality and diversity in schools.
It comes after the GTCS launched its Equality and Diversity Hub earlier this year. The hub collates a range of resources to support teachers to promote equality and diversity in schools, colleges and across learning communities.
It includes professional learning modules, a range of resources on issues like protected characteristics, bias and stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and victimisation, intersectionality, leadership, and equity, as well as a number of case studies and real-life examples of inequality and discrimination.
Mr Muir added: “Our schools, colleges and learning communities are enriched with a diverse mix of people with a variety of experiences and from different cultures and backgrounds. Teachers should strive to promote equality and diversity ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and that individual differences are valued.”