Parenting Month and International Day of Play raise awareness on the importance of childcare and playful parenting. UNICEF in partnership with EkStep Foundation's Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao (BMBJ) initiative, announces that for the first time in India, 'Time to Play' will be observed on International Day of Play on June 11, 2024. The United Nations has declared June 11 as International Day of Play from 2024 onwards, calling on all adults to invest in, protect and support every child's right to play by providing the time, space and access to play.
While play should be a part of children's daily lives, the call to action on June 11th is to stop adult activities from 5pm to 6pm and take part in an hour of free play. Free play is activity led by children.
To celebrate the bond between parents and children,
UNICEF and ExStep Foundation highlight the important role that play plays in a child's overall development and the crucial role of parents in their child's cognitive, social and emotional development. This hour is an opportunity for parents to have fun, laugh, play and bond with their children. Through free play, children explore their physical environment, express emotions, develop vocabulary through playful and fun activities, and experience and learn about the world.
BMBJ and UNICEF are activating play activities by encouraging workplaces, communities and individuals to take part in #HourofPlay and also encouraging friends and family to get involved by posting photos and experiences in family groups and on social media, and tagging friends to take part in the Hour of Free Play challenge using #ItsRightToPlay and #ForEveryChild, Play.
Arjan de Wagt, Deputy Director, Programmes, UNICEF India, emphasised, “Play is how young children learn and understand the world around them. UNICEF knows that nurturing parental care and play can transform children's lives. At the same time, integrating play-based learning into the education system makes learning fun and meaningful. The 'Playtime' initiative embodies UNICEF's commitment to providing and nurturing opportunities for every child to learn and grow through play, leading to healthy cognitive, emotional and social development. This is our commitment to children's wellbeing and development,” said.
Deepika Moglisetty, Chief, Policy and Partnerships, EkStep Foundation said, “Play is like breathing for a child. Hence, every child in India needs play and every caring adult in India needs to celebrate play. Play is natural for children and has a scientific basis. Our education policy emphasises this. To celebrate childhood and keep it thriving, play needs to be implemented and embraced by caring adults.”
Bakhpan Manao Collaborators (Collab+Action) are showcasing a tapestry of work for early childhood across India, encompassing diversity of languages, socio-economic status and different abilities of children. The call for the right to play comes from the voices of children across the world; from challenging circumstances, different abilities, locations and genders. The #Houroffreeplay initiative not only asks people to stop and take part in child-led play on June 11, but also aims to make this a part of everyday life and advocate for #itsrighttoplay for every child at home, in the community and in schools. This is how we can celebrate childhood and thrive, she said.
UNICEF estimates that one in ten children worldwide are not able to participate in parent or caregiver activities that are essential to fostering cognitive, social and emotional development, such as reading, storytelling, singing and drawing. Data also shows that around the world, one in five children aged two to four does not play with a caregiver at home, and one in eight children under five does not have any toys or play equipment at home.
