International Day of Play

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Child Care and Protection Agency hosted the first International Day of Play for children across Guyana at Day Care facilities, and specially at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute. The Ministry of Human Services was pleased to partner with UNICEF Guyana and the Government of Canada on this inaugural event- International Day of Play 2024 under the theme: Children Grow, Learn and Develop through Play.  

For 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.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud who gave the feature 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 Human Services 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 centers in workplaces and organisations.

Minister Persaud thanked UNICEF and the High Commission of Canada for their strong support and collaboration in many of these initiatives and recognised the work of the Child Care and Protection Agency in organising the first International Day of Play. 

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is fulling the call by UNICEF and UNESCO to Fulfil every child’s right to play by accelerating programmes towards key SDG Targets which involve:

• Promoting access to quality, inclusive early childhood education through our Early Childhood Day and Night Care Centres; training of the Caregivers that operate privately run Daycare and State-owned facilities.
• Protection of public spaces through our ‘Safe Spaces for our children’.
• Training in play-based teaching to caregivers.

Mr. Michael Gills, UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist of UNICEF delivered remarks on UNICEF’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Human Services and emphasised that play was important to children’s growth and allows them to de-stress every day. He spoke about the importance of the SDGs and ensuring that work continues to their achievement. Charge d’Affairs Ms. 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, Ms. Levine Gouveia who shared on the work of the Agency and how it aligns 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.

The hundreds of children from schools and Day Cares, parents and caregivers enjoyed a fantastic play experience blended with learning at this inaugural event.