International Day of Play 11 June 2025
“Choose Play – Every Day”. Join us on the second International Day of Play on 11 of June - The theme is a reminder for all of us – governments, businesses, schools and families – to take decisions that embrace and prioritise play for children.
Viktorya Sargsyan, Senior Technical Advisor for Early Childhood Development from World Vision International shares:
Every child needs to feel loved, safe, and like they really matter. That all starts with a deep emotional bond with the people who care for them. Through laughter, play, hugs, and just being together, kids build the trust and love that helps them grow strong and happy. It’s in those simple, joyful moments that the real magic happens!
Learn more about World Vision's Early Childhood Programming
Learn more about World Vision's Early Childhood Development Programming:
- World Vision Ethiopia - Enabling pre-school children to thrive in Early Childhood Development Centres
- World Vision Occupied Palestinian Territories -Creating Joy and Comfort in Clinics: ECD Corners in Action
- World Vision Lebanon - Play The Only Form of Acceptable Child Labour
- World Vision Myanmar - How Early Childhood Education Shapes Development in Children with Disabilities
- World Vision International - When Play Becomes Protection: Rebuilding Childhood in Humanitarian Settings - In the face of displacement and loss, World Vision provides children and caregivers with healing, dignity, and the tools to grow together. Learn more
New Video Resources to Support Learning Roots Programme Model
Play is the most natural form of learning for all children. As they interact with their peers and family members in playful interactions and experience responsive and positive relationships, children grow and learn.
When teachers prepare an inclusive play environment and children lead the play, children can access the materials and activities to meet their diverse learning needs.
But how do we “do” play, often teachers like to lead the play and tell children what to do. These videos show teachers, community volunteers or play leaders how to watch, listen to the children and follow their lead.
The Learning Roots Teacher Training Programme includes 12 Learning Through Play videos designed to demonstrate core concepts and how to apply teaching strategies. These videos are designed to enhance understanding and implementation of Learning Through Play (LTP) in Early Childhood Education settings, offering teachers “the how to do play” and apply these methodologies across a range of Early Childhood Education settings. World Vision invites you to watch the videos, reflect on what you have seen and plan which strategies you will implement.
These videos were developed and recorded in rural and remote centre in Southern Laos by the Public Engagement and Communication team.
Did You Know?
- 71% of children say play is important because it makes them happy, and 58% say that it helps them make friends and have a good time with others.
- It is estimated that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning.
- World Vision Ethiopia trained 1,090 ECD teachers on the Learning Roots methodology and 2,486 parents/caregivers were training on Learning Roots parenting approach
- World Vision Bangladesh ensured 15,425 children aged 3-5 years received early education in 616 community-led learning centres
