12 June 2024/

FIRST INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY

UNICEF calls all governments to do more to end all forms of violence against children in the home; expand access to learning and play spaces for children and promote positive, nurturing and playful caregiving, on the first-ever INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY.

UNICEF marks the first-ever INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY at the UN Headquarters, New York, stresses the crucial role of play in human development across cognitive, social, emotional and physical growth and calls to end all harmful practices, disabilities, gender discriminations, conflicts and learning poverty.

“Nearly 400 million children under 5 — or 6 in 10 children within that age group globally, regularly endure psychological aggression or physical punishment at home, according to new UNICEF estimates. Of them, around 330 million are punished by physical means,” reports UN News.

Nurturing and playful parenting can bring joy and also help children feel safe, learn, build skills and navigate the world around them,” Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director.