The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MoHSSS) and the Child Care and Protection Agency, yesterday announced the hosting of the first International Day of Play for children across Guyana at daycare facilities, and at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute, which saw hundreds of children from schools and daycare centres, parents and caregivers, enjoying a play experience blended with learning.
This inaugural event – International Day of Play 2024 under the theme: “Children Grow, Learn and Develop through Play,” was made possible through a collaboration with UNICEF Guyana and the Government of Canada, a MoHSSS release stated.
The release pointed out that this was the first time a symposium revolving around play for parents and caregivers was hosted as part of the inaugural event facilitated by UNICEF in collaboration with the Child Care and Protection Agency.
MoHSSS minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud who delivered remarks, emphasised the importance of play in the development of children’s innovative and creative skills, establishing healthy and positive social skills, mental well-being and how it could be utilised as a tool for early childhood development.
She stressed the ministry’s emphasis on Early Childhood Development citing the programmes emanating from the Ministry including its parenting programme, training of caregivers in Early Childhood Development, development of parenting manuals and workbooks, Day and/Night Care Early Childhood Development Consortiums, along with public-private partnerships, to establish these centres in workplaces and organisations.
According to the release, the MoHSSS is heeding the call by UNICEF and UNESCO to fulfil every child’s right to play by accelerating programmes towards key SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) targets which involve: promoting access to quality, inclusive early childhood education through its Early Childhood Day and Night Care Centres; training the caregivers that operate privately-run daycare and state-owned facilities; protection of public spaces through the ‘Safe Spaces for our children’ programme, and training in play-based teaching to caregivers.
Meanwhile, UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist, Michael Gills, spoke of his organisation’s commitment to working with MoHSSS and echoed that play was important to children’s growth and allows them to de-stress every day. He also mentioned the importance of the SDGs and ensuring that work continues to their achievement. And Chargé d’Affaires, Caroline Mireault, commented that ‘forgetting to play causes us to be old’ referencing poet George Bernard Shaw. She also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to partnership with the Government of Guyana on pivotal areas, including Early Childhood Development.
Remarks were also given by Acting Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Levine Gouveia, who shared the ongoing work of the agency and its alignment with UNICEF and UNESCO principles on promoting quality Early Childhood Care through equitable access and training, promoting Safe Spaces for children through the Every Child Safe campaign.
