ISLAMABAD
\nRight To Play (RTP) and organizations around the world have urged all the stakeholders to invest in play as a key driver of children\u2019s learning and well-being, and to protect every child\u2019s right to play.
\nMore than 224 million children face barriers to play and education because of poverty, conflict, and climate-related crises, said a press release. 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 children\u2019s learning, development, and well-being.
\nInternational Day of Play (IDOP) is a moment to celebrate the incredible power of play in children\u2019s lives and call for more investments to ensure that children can learn, develop, and heal through play. First established by the United Nations in 2024, IDOP raises awareness that play is not just a pastime \u2013 it\u2019s a transformational force in children\u2019s 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 children\u2019s literacy, numeracy, and foundational learning skills.
\nIn 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.
\n\u201cPlay 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,\u201d says Susan McIsaac, President & CEO of Right To Play International.
\n\u201cFor more than 25 years, RTP 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.\u201d
\nSimilarly, RTP Pakistan organized early celebrations of Play Fest due to the summer vacation, holding events in Islamabad and Thatta on May 22 and 27, respectively, to mark the second annual International Day of Play (June 11).
\nThe events gathered around 1,500 children, educators, and partners to promote the importance of play in learning and well-being at both locations. Diverse activity zones featuring physical games, creative arts, traditional play, quiz corners, and cognitive challenges were set up, where children participated in their favourite activities. The Fest highlighted the role of play in education, child development, and mental health.
\nA special pledge ceremony saw educators commit to integrating more play into school settings. The event reinforced calls for greater investment in play, especially for vulnerable children facing poverty, conflict, and climate crises.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Right To Play (RTP) and organizations around the world have urged all the stakeholders to invest in play as a key driver of children\u2019s learning and well-being, and to protect every child\u2019s right to play. More than 224 million children face barriers to play and education because of poverty, conflict, and climate-related crises, said […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":483711,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-483697","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n