For Every Child, The Right To Play
Play is essential for all children, everywhere. It unlocks potential, builds crucial skills, and boosts well-being for life
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Play is more than just fun. It's a powerful tool for learning, exploration, and building a happy, healthy future.
Playing with children is a fundamental aspect of parenting. Simple, playful interactions with adults help infants develop sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience.
Playing is always fun, but it is also a valuable avenue for learning. Through play, children explore their environment, make decisions, develop social skills by forming relationships, develop their imagination and creativity, and foster curiosity.
Playing is a natural and enjoyable way for children to keep active, stay well and be happy. During the first five years of life, children's brains develop faster than at any other time, and playing helps build the brain.
Furthermore, play involves taking risks, experimenting, and pushing boundaries. Children test themselves and find out their own limits.
On June 01, 2024, the UN Day of Parents, UNICEF launched its annual global parenting month with the theme “The Promise of Playful Parenting.”
On June 11 2024, UNICEF and partners will commemorate the first-ever International Day of Play (IDOP), following the adoption of a UN resolution for a day centred around play.
Hour of Free Play: Digital Activation
We have the #ItsRightToPlay Digital Activation Plan ready for you to promote the Hour of Free Play on June 11th (5-6 PM).
It's all about the importance of letting kids explore and be kids!
Download the Digital Activation Plan Toolkit
The Science of Play
Did you know your child’s brain develops more in the first three years of life than at any other time? That’s a lot of growing! The good news is that one of the best ways for you to support your child’s development is actually quite simple and fun for both of you.
On the surface, play may seem like it’s all about having fun, but it’s far more than that for babies and toddlers. It’s about learning and building important life skills – from problem-solving to expressing ideas – and strengthening your bond. After all, you are your child’s first teacher and playmate!
Play and your child’s mental health
Play is how young children learn and make sense of the world around them. While they are having fun, they are working on critical parts of their development like building motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills.
But the power of play extends beyond early learning: it also plays a crucial role in creating your child’s mental health – and yours, too! Learn why making time for playtime is both a fun and healthy thing to do
Play and communicate with your baby at every stage!
These playful moments boost their confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
Do you have babies aged 0 months to 10 years?
Here are some playful moments with your child. What other play moments do you engage in with your child?
