New York City, New York Jun 5, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - On the second annual International Day of Play (June 11), Right To Play and organizations around the world are urging governments, educators, and the international community to invest in play as a key driver of childrens learning and well-being, and to protect every childs right to play.
Play Is Disappearing from Childrens Lives, Affecting their Learning and Well-Being.
Opportunities for play are being squeezed out of childhood. More than 224 million children face barriers to play and education because of poverty, conflict, and climate-related crises. Research shows that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning, and children today are 62% less likely to play than baby boomer grandparents. Losing these opportunities has serious effects on childrens learning, development, and well-being.
International Day of Play (IDOP) is a moment to celebrate the incredible power of play in childrens lives and call for more investments to ensure that children can play in their homes, their schools, and their communities. First established by the United Nations in 2024, IDOP raises awareness that play is not just a pastime its a transformational force in childrens lives.
A new policy brief from Right To Play, a global NGO with programs in 14 countries, released days before IDOP shows that an investment in play-based learning is an effective, low-cost, and responsive way to boost childrens literacy, numeracy, and foundational learning skills. In Tanzania, In Tanzania, the number of Grade 4 students who could read to comprehension rose to 98% in Right To Play- partner schools where play-based learning approaches were used, compared to 53% in non-supported schools.
Play is powerful. Through play, children explore and understand the world, learn how to collaborate and empathize with others, build the confidence to claim their rights, and develop a lifelong love of learning, says Susan McIsaac, President & CEO of Right To Play International. For more than 25 years, Right To Play has harnessed the power of play to protect, educate, and empower millions of children each year to rise above adversity. We are proud to be one of the founding members of the International Day of Play, working with partners to give global legitimacy to what children have always known: that every child should have the right to play.
How We're Celebrating IDOP 2025 in the US
Right To Play is marking the International Day of Play with celebrations, activations, and community events across the U.S. and around the world:
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- UNICEF & UNESCO Event at the United Nations Headquarters On Wednesday, June 11th, Right To Play will join UN Member States, international organizations, civil society partners, and children and youth to celebrate the second annual International Day of Play at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This high-level event will elevate the importance of every childs right play and the incredible benefits that play brings to their learning, well-being, and development. With decision makers and peer agencies in attendance, Right To Play will speak to the power of play as an effective and proven approach to accelerate learning outcomes, including literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills development. Because play is more than just a pastime, its a powerful way for children to learn, grow, and understand the world around them.
- Playmakers Community Event at Clinton Hall FiDi, NYC Our network of young professionals, supporters, and volunteers will gather for an evening of games, food, fun, and impact in downtown Manhattan, shining a light on the joy and importance of play. International Day of Play Event! - Right To Play
- Iconic Landmarks Lighting Up for Play On the evening of June 11, Niagara Falls and the Empire State Building will be illuminated in celebration of the International Day of Play. This special illumination aims to raise awareness about the importance of play in child development and well-being. The Falls and the Empire State building will glow in Right To Play orange, symbolizing the joy and vitality that play brings to children's lives.
How To Get Involved in IDOP 2025
- Take a play break in your home or community
- Take 25 minutes to connect, move, or laugh through any form of play on June 11th.
- Donate $25+ to celebrate 25 years of Right To Play programs. Play Changes Everything. So Can Your Donation - Right To Play
- Share the Joy Snap a photo, share a video, and tag @RightToPlayUSA #PlayChangesEverything
- Read the Policy Brief: Accelerating Childrens Foundational Learning Through Play FINAL_Accelerating_Foundational_Learning_Through_Play_EN_1.pdf
Spokespeople
- Ellen Fesseha Play Specialist, Right To Play
- Jennifer Slawich Director, Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, Right To Play
- Amy Parker Interim Director, Program Quality & Impact, Right To Play
- Dwan Kaoukji Vice President, Program Quality & Impact, Right To Play
About Right To Play
Right To Play is a global organization that protects, educates, and empowers children to rise above adversity using the power of play. We reach millions of children each year in some of the most difficult places on earth, helping them to stay in school and learn, overcome prejudice, heal from trauma, and develop the skills they need to thrive. We do this by harnessing play, one of the most fundamental forces in a child's life, to teach children the critical skills they need to dismantle barriers and embrace opportunities, in learning and in life. For more information, visit www.righttoplayusa.org
About the International Day of Play
International Day of Play is a time to celebrate the power of play. Its a time to raise awareness about how central play is to every childs development and well-being. And its a time when we can come together to make sure that every child is able to fulfil their right to play. To learn more: https://righttoplay.com/en/landing/celebrating-the-international-day-of-play/
For more information, stories of impact, and media inquiries:
Sara Jonsson
Marketing and Communications Manager, Right To Play USA
[email protected] 914.621.6775
Source :Right To Play USA
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
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