Children learn through play in Uganda
11 June 2024The first ever Day of Play has been held in Uganda, showcasing one of the most transformative forces in a child’s life.
“We had the chance to meet many children,” says Juliet. “There are many play materials, and we are here to play.”
Plan International celebrated Uganda’s first National Day of Play on 30 April, with a series of fun and playful events. More than 600 people across the country came together with a shared objective to learn and demonstrate the power of play. “I love playing with sticks,” shares Shilat. “I am learning how to count, write and build a house using the sticks.”
The National Day of Play offers opportunities to promote the importance of play for children’s learning and development, to hear from children about why play is important to them, to understand how we can transform learning though play, and – of course – to give children, and adults, a chance to play!
Why Play?
Play is one of the most transformative forces in a child’s life. It is a powerful vehicle for children’s learning, development and wellbeing. Play unlocks potential, including through pre-school education and playful parenting. Play helps children to build resilience and recovery after distress. Through play, children develop important skills: from learning how to count, to understanding others’ emotions, working together and solving problems.
Play is sometimes seen as something silly or a waste of time. In fact, it is the opposite! Play connects children with the world and helps them to understand it. When adults make play a priority in children’s lives, they support children’s wellbeing and health and ensure that all children can learn and grow, with benefits into adulthood.
Play Day is for all children
“The children are eager to learn, and I find it easier to get their attention than before. They learn better through play. They interact better with me and with each other – they play and share things. Often they don’t want to go home at all when the school day is over.”
Early-childhood educator at a Plan supported early learning centre.
Uganda’s National Play Day was made to be inclusive. Children from six regions of the country had the opportunity to celebrate the day through a series of regional events that showcased Plan and our partner’s work to prioritise play. Parents, caregivers and teachers also took part in the celebrations, as important partners in the promotion of play.
Nora, an early childhood educator at a Plan-supported early learning centre said: “The children are eager to learn, and I find it easier to get their attention than before. They learn better through play. They interact better with me and with each other – they play and share things. Often they don’t want to go home at all when the school day is over.”
Play is a critical agenda for Uganda
Children are the future of Uganda, and their wellbeing presents a huge opportunity. With one of the youngest populations in the world, Uganda’s successful investment in quality education is essential for the future economic development of the country. Play-based learning equips children with essential cognitive, language, physical, social, and emotional skills, laying a strong foundation for future academic and professional success.
Investing in play-based approaches now builds the foundations for life-long learning to educate children today for the world of tomorrow. Learning through play not only benefits individual children but also contributes to the sustainable growth and development of Uganda as a whole. By equipping young people with the skills, resilience, and confidence needed to overcome barriers, Uganda – and other countries – can build more prosperous and resilient societies capable of tackling future challenges.
A resolution to create the International Day of Play (IDOP) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in March 2024. with support from more than 140 countries. IDOP will be celebrated every year on 11 June. The first Uganda National Play Day on 30 April has helped to build momentum for IDOP, showing how play can be promoted, supported and celebrated at country level.
The celebration was organised by the Ugandan Government with support from UNICEF, The LEGO Foundation, Education Cannot Wait and Plan International. The day couldn’t have happened without our partnerships with civil society organisations who are working alongside us to support and promote learning through play.
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