June 11, 2024 marks the inaugural International Day of Play, a global initiative dedicated to emphasizing the importance of play in fostering human development and well-being. This milestone event aims to ensure that everyone, especially children, can benefit from the numerous rewards of play.
Play is more than just a recreational activity. It is a universal language that transcends national, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries, fostering a sense of community and national pride. Play promotes resilience, creativity, and innovation in individuals.
For children, it is a critical tool in building relationships, overcoming trauma, and enhancing problem-solving skills. It supports the development of cognitive, physical, creative, social, and emotional abilities, essential for thriving in a rapidly evolving world.
Restricting opportunities for play can significantly impede a child’s development and well-being. In educational settings, play-based learning has proven to be an effective strategy for engaging students, making learning more enjoyable and relevant, and improving motivation and information retention. Additionally, play contributes positively to promoting tolerance, resilience, social inclusion, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding.
Recognizing the vital role of play, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has enshrined it as a fundamental right under Article 31.
The International Day of Play aims to highlight this right, calling for policies, training, and funding to integrate play into educational and community settings globally.
Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum marked the occasion by expressing his excitement on Facebook about the adoption of June 11 as the International Day of Play by the United Nations General Assembly.
He extended appreciation to organizations like the World Bank, UNICEF, Right to Play, Sabre Education, and Lively Minds for their support in advancing play-based learning initiatives. Dr. Adutwum also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of agencies such as the Ghana Education Service, National Teaching Council, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and district officials in integrating play-based learning into early childhood education policies and kindergarten curriculums.
He emphasized the significant progress made in
foundational learning as a result of these collective efforts.
“Today, I urge each and everyone of us to celebrate the International Day of Play by making extra time for play .
Happy International Day of Play! “, he wrote.