Bhutan celebrates the first-ever International Day of Play
Bhutan joined the global community yesterday to celebrate the first-ever International Day of Play at Changlingmithang Stadium in Thimphu. The event brought together more than 300 students from Thimphu including ECCD children accompanied by their parents to promote the importance of play in the holistic development of children.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Lyonpo for Education and Skills Development highlighted the positive impacts of play on children’s development. “Play is considered to have a positive impact on promoting tolerance, resilience, and in facilitating social inclusion, conflict prevention, and peace-building,” she said. She further reiterated the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to supporting children’s education through diverse activities including play, music and art.
Andrea James, the Representative of UNICEF Bhutan highlighted the diverse benefits of play in nurturing children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. She encouraged the creation of safe play spaces within homes, schools and communities to enable children to explore, imagine and connect freely.
The festivities of the day included a range of engaging games designed to suit children of various ages and interests. Students rejoiced at the opportunity to play with friends, explore new activities and participate in teamwork.
Dechen, a parent accompanying her daughter expressed her appreciation for the event: “I think it’s wonderful that Bhutan is recognizing the importance of play. It’s not just about fun; it’s about learning important life skills. I’ve seen my daughter grow more confident and sociable through play.”
The celebration organised by the Department of Education Programmes and UNICEF Bhutan marked a significant milestone in global efforts to safeguard, promote and prioritize play underlining the urgent need for its integration into educational and community settings worldwide.
Considering the importance of health and physical education, the Ministry is working towards providing better facilities and infrastructure in schools across the country.
Under Article 31, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes play as a fundamental right of every child. In alignment with this initiative, Bhutan reaffirms its commitment to fostering a healthier, more inclusive and peaceful world for future generations, ensuring that all, especially children, can reap the benefits of play and realize their full potential.