UN, UNESCO Celebrates International Day of Play, Emphasizes Importance of Play in School Children's Development
United Nations commemorate "International day of play"today, June 11, 2O24. The International Day of Play creates a unifying moment at global, national, and local levels to elevate the importance of play It signals a call for policies, training, and funding to get play integrated into education and community settings worldwide.
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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has marked a significant milestone in the field of education and child development by declaring June 11 as the International Day of Play. This day serves as an annual reminder of the importance of play in promoting education, development, and the well-being of children around the world.
Play is not just a leisure activity; it is fundamental to children’s development. It creates powerful learning opportunities across intellectual, social, emotional, and physical domains. Through play, children forge connections with others, build leadership skills, develop resilience, navigate challenges, and conquer their fears.
In educational settings, play-based learning has been recognized as an effective approach to engage students actively in the learning process. It makes learning more enjoyable and relevant, thereby enhancing motivation and retention of information.
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The inaugural celebration of the International Day of Play will take place on June 11, 2024. There will be a special event at the UN headquarters in New York to mark the first International Day of Play. National events and online activities will be happening around the world.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has enshrined play as a fundamental right of every child under Article 31 However, restricting opportunities for play directly impedes a child’s well-being and development. The International Day of Play creates a unifying moment at global, national, and local levels to elevate the importance of play It signals a call for policies, training, and funding to get play integrated into education and community settings worldwide.
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UNESCO urges everyone, especially school children, to celebrate the power of play. Whether it’s trying out new play ideas or helping raise awareness about the power of play, every individual can contribute to this global movement.
