Afrika Tikkun highlights the importance of play

Afrika Tikkun, based in Hyde Park, will be celebrating its annual Play Day on 28 May to celebrate learning through free play and fun.

World Play Day is recognised annually on 28 May, instituted by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund to celebrate learning. Many children across the world do not have the privilege of having play time, however, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises “the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities”.

This year, with the theme ‘Play is a Right’, there was a big focus on the fact that child’s play is just as much a human right as equality or freedom. Although the theme changes annually, the ultimate aim remains the same – for children to let go of the stresses of daily life and play freely, fairly and safely.

Vanessa Mentor, an early childhood development expert at Afrika Tikkun said,

“In short, play at an early age sees young children learn to engage with the world around them and interact with the people in their lives. It allows them to develop new competencies, overcome fears and increase their levels of confidence. Play is of the utmost importance for a developing child, we need to prioritise play and really demonstrate its importance to childhood learning.”

In addition, play offers the perfect opportunity for parents to engage with their kids, to share one of life’s simple pleasures with their children, to show their love and support and to encourage them to move at their own pace and discover their own interests.

Mentor added, “Each year Afrika Tikkun organises a special World Play Day programme for all the young people of our five Centres of Excellence across the country. For May 28th, we have coordinated a fun day that focuses on all areas of the 2019 theme, ‘right to connect, right to explore, right to move, right to have fun, right to be creative, right to participate’, with a programme including scavenger hunts, creative activity stations, group games, science experiments, music, movement and more.”

For more information on Afrika Tikkun and their initiatives, call 011 325 5914, email info@afrikatikkun.org or visit www.afrikatikkun.org.

Share your thoughts on the Play Day event on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page

Related Articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/213231/over-r250-000-raised-to-support-afrika-tikkun-2/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/215040/share-the-festive-spirit-with-afrika-tikkun/