National Observance Of Play Day February 5

Educational institutions across the island are gearing up to celebrate Global School Play Day on Wednesday, February 5, with a national observance called ‘Play Day JA’. Play Day JA aims to promote the importance of play in teaching and learning, while providing a fun and engaging experience for students, parents, and educators.             Schools are being encouraged to use the day to host play-based activities that foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience in children. The observance is being supported by organizations such as the Early Childhood Commission (ECC), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), National Parenting Support Commission (NPSC), Peace Corps, the United Nations (UN), non-governmental organizations and private sector entities.

In addition, as part of its ongoing commitment to promoting the importance of play in childhood development and community wellness, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will join Kingston Creative at the Art Walk, downtown Kingston on the day.

The event will feature a scavenger hunt and interactive tours, which will be used to reenforce the vital role of play beyond the classroom and into communities.

The Art Walk activity will also be used as an advocacy tool to encourage Jamaicans to create play spaces in their communities for families. Education Specialist at UNICEF, Dr. Rebecca Tortello told JIS News that play is not merely a childhood pastime, it is an essential element of healthy development and overall well-being for individuals of all ages. She pointed out that UNICEF will collaborate with Sherwin-Williams on a special project that aims to create 35 colourful hopscotch courses across Jamaica, in celebration of the 35^th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The initiative emphasizes that play is not only a fundamental right for children, but also a catalyst for their overall development. For ideas on play-based lessons, educators can visit the Play Corner on linktr.ee/unicefjamaica and access the UNICEF/MOEY games-based manual at https://www.unicef.org/jamaica/reports/game-based-interactive-learning-activities-early-years. Parents are also encouraged to participate in Play Day JA by playing more with their children at home. The “Play at Home Manual” is available at https://www.unicef.org/jamaica/reports/play-home-kit, providing suggestions for fun and engaging activities to do with children. To share in the learning fun, schools and parents are invited to post their experiences on social media using the hashtags #PlayDayJA for Jamaica and #GSPD2025 for global participation.