Celebrating the first-ever International Day of Play: a global commitment to enhancing childhood development

A Day of Engaging Activities and Insightful Discussions

The International Day of Play featured an array of interactive activities and enriching panel discussions aimed at emphasizing play's integral role in human development. The initiative sought to deepen the understanding of play as a crucial component of childhood growth and lifelong learning, focusing on the themes of "Time to Play," "Space to Play," "Quality of Play," and "Play Never Ends."

The day commenced with an engaging play-based activity led by the Permanent Missions' core group and LEGO, followed by a series of panel discussions. Subsequently, attendees were invited to the UN Play Experience in the Rose Garden, where interactive stations showcased various forms of play—physical, social-emotional, creative, and cognitive.

Multisectoral Collaboration to Champion Children's Right to Play

Moderated by H.E. Ambassador Lachezara Stoeva of Bulgaria, the panel discussion explored how multiple sectors can collaborate to enhance children's rights to play. Ms. Lily Gray, UNESCO's Liaison Officer in New York, underscored the universal significance of play for all ages. Citing the Tashkent Declaration and the Global Agenda for Early Childhood Care and Education, she emphasized the essential role of parents, caregivers, and educators in nurturing healthy child development through play-oriented interactions. Ms. Gray suggested that businesses could support play-based learning through investments in educational technologies, while NGOs could help train educators and mobilize community support.

Echoing Ms. Gray's points, H.E. Ambassador Brian Wallace of Jamaica highlighted Jamaica's establishment of February as the "Month of Play" and detailed the country’s efforts in implementing early childhood programs that foster play. Additionally, Mr. Skip Kodak, President of the LEGO Group in the Americas, spoke on partnerships with public sectors and NGOs to protect and promote play where it is most at risk.

Advocating for Play: Insights from Global Leaders

The discussion also featured insights from Catherine Russell, UNICEF’s Executive Director, who advocated for ensuring universal access to evidence-based parenting programs, providing children aged 3-6 with universal access to quality, inclusive early childhood education, and creating safe, healthy public spaces to play. The President of the General Assembly, H.E. Dennis Francis, emphasized play's role in fostering imagination and development, advocating for environments that support safe and inspiring play.

Further enriching the discussions, Ms. Lily Gray reiterated the significance of play in fostering cognitive, literacy, and numeracy skills, as well as social and emotional learning. She highlighted UNESCO's Happy Schools Initiative, which is part of the global effort to transform education by prioritizing happiness in learning.

H.E. Ambassador Brian Wallace emphasized play's role as a tool for social cohesion, showcasing "Jamaica Moves," a national program promoting health through active engagement across the country. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ms. Lucy Liu, Dr. Micheal Yogman from Harvard Medical School, and Mr. Skip Kodak from LEGO also contributed their perspectives, continuing to advocate for the essential role of play in development and well-being.

The event also included a unique segment where panelists answered questions asked by children from around the world, providing a heartfelt reflection and a new perspective on their own experiences and answers to the questions on play.

Watch the recording of the event.