JAMAICA: February is Play Month

#Kingston, February 6, 2023 – February has been designated ‘Play Month’ by the Early Childhood Commission (ECC).

The Month, which has been endorsed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Jamaica Office, is being observed under the theme ‘The Passion for Play’.     According to Education Specialist with UNICEF Jamaica, Dr. Rebecca Tortello, Play Month is an extension of ‘Play Day Ja’.  It is commemorated annually on February 1 as part of an international movement called ‘Global Schools Play Day’.

Dr. Tortello underscored the importance of playtime for children, describing it as a teaching and learning tool that supports physical, mental and the overall health and wellness of youngsters.

“We want to promote the power of play because it is the way our brains enjoy learning the most. It wires our brain to learn and also helps to develop socio-emotional skills,” she indicated.

The ECC’s Acting Communications Manager, Sophia Stewart, said the Commission has always recognised its duty to ensure that every Jamaican child’s right to quality education is met.

This, she noted, is facilitated by executing all the standard operating procedures, and collaborative and coordinated activities centred on the entity’s vision statement – ‘All children having access to quality early-childhood development services, enabling the realisation of their full potential’.

“We have developed a programme devoted to play, which is entitled ‘Re-Imagining Play’. This comprises numerous activities, such as monthly webinars, workshops, Play Day, distribution of play kits, Twitter Chat, and other promotional activities,” Ms. Stewart outlined.

The ECC encourages its stakeholders to participate in play activities to highlight the importance of this engagement during the early years of a child’s life.

According to Ms. Stewart, play is critical to the total development of the child and, as such, it is important that all early-childhood stakeholders make deliberate efforts to ensure that young children are provided with opportunities to participate in this activity.

“As children play, social, emotional, physical and critical thinking skills are developed. The involvement of early-childhood practitioners, parents, partners, agencies, institutions and other stakeholders is needed to ensure that all children are engaged in a meaningful way,” she pointed out.

“As we reflect on the theme – ‘The Passion for Play’ – let us put down the gadgets and reimagine the world of play with our children. Play is the right of a child, the language they speak, and it is time we all speak it,” Ms. Stewart said.

Contact: Judith A. Hunter

Release: JIS