International Day of Play 2025 will be celebrated on the 11^th of June under the theme of Choose Play – Every Day! Children make sense, experience, and learn through play. Play has many benefits for children, including psychosocial, emotional, and physical development, ultimately positively impacting on child wellbeing outcomes. With the advancement and access to a myriad of screens both at home and in the school setting, the need to make time and space for good old-fashioned outdoor play is so necessary in our society. Additionally, through play, children learn how to connect with others, build a wide range of leadership abilities, develop resilience, navigate relationships and social challenges, and conquer their fears. Play encourages children to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

However, we must not take for granted that play comes naturally to parents and caregivers. Research suggests that around 1 in 5 children aged 2-4 years do not play with their caregivers at home. This indicates that caregivers and parents need to be supported in understanding the importance of play for children’s development, as well as simply how to engage and play with their children.   It is through play that child-caregiver relations and bonds are improved, mental health of both parents and children is uplifted. Through play, child and family wellbeing is strengthened.

In South Africa, we practice the saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. Having said this, as communities and citizens of our country, we have to make a concerted effort to offer and advocate for safe spaces within our communities for children to play in. In creating such opportunities for children in our country, they will grow and thrive in both safe and nurturing environments. Let us deliberate with each other, government departments, schools, professionals, and importantly with children, about how we can help create safer spaces in our communities for children to learn, grow, and play in.