Annie Friday is joined by Playworker Adele Cleaver to talk about the newly declared International Day of Play that will take place on June 11 annually. The United Nations adopted this official day after play advocates and global partners proved the need for it through surveys, research, and data showing that children worldwide don’t believe adults take play seriously enough. Play can ignite and enhance learning experiences and help humans process emotions, sort through traumatic events, and make new discoveries about themselves and the world around them. Adele offers tips on talking to your learning institutions and other play stakeholders to raise awareness regarding the benefits of play. Adele also shares some of her recent favorite play memories with inspiration from the Orleans House Gallery, the GLUE Collective, Suzanne Axelsson of Interaction Imagination, Penny Wilson of Assemble Play, and of course The Playwork Foundation.

The reality is that UNICEF estimates that about 160 million children globally work rather than play and learn. By declaring June 11 as International Day of Play, advocates hope that adults and decision-makers can invest in, provide for, protect, respect, and support play. Play is not only essential to childhood but also to humanity. 

Find more info on Adele Cleaver at Big Blue Play or on social media as @AdelePlayworker

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