Play - a powerful tool for children's development

On May 30, to honor the power of play, the first International Day of Play celebration in Vietnam was held at the Green One UN House in Hanoi.

The first International Day of Play in Vietnam was celebrated at the Green One UN House in Hanoi. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

The celebration of International Day of Play aims to implement the Resolution of the United Nations General Assembly recognizing June 11 as International Day of Play, adopted on March 25, 2024, at the initiative of Vietnam and co-sponsored by 138 countries.

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, representatives of ministries, branches, government agencies, the UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, Heads of UN agencies in Hanoi, the Chief Operating Officer of the Lego Group, representatives of embassies of several countries that co-authored the Resolution on International Day of Play, and children participating in the drawing contest organized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

At the ceremony, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed the important role of play, especially for the health, happiness and development of children. Play is the way children learn, explore and develop their creativity and imagination; it helps build relationships between family members, between individuals and society.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed the important role of play, especially for the health, happiness and development of children. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet emphasized the need to make efforts to ensure that all children, from urban to rural areas or remote areas, have access to playgrounds, toys, music, sports facilities and a safe and inclusive play environment. On this occasion, the Deputy Minister called on UN organizations and the private sector to support Vietnam in addressing the lack of games, recreational activities and resources for children.

Ms. Leslie Miller, Acting Representative of UNICEF in Viet Nam, affirmed that play is one of the most powerful tools for children's development, helping to shape their future, improve their health and develop their skills. She expressed her gratitude to the Vietnamese Government for initiating and promoting the Resolution on International Day of Play. She emphasized the need to promote learning through play, provide safe and inclusive play spaces for children, ensure access to play materials and tools, as well as equip parents with the necessary skills to participate in play with their children...

Ms. Leslie Miller, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, spoke at the ceremony. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Mr. Carsten Rasmussen, Chief Operating Officer of the LEGO Group, emphasized that play can change lives, strengthen family connections and help children develop skills and maximize their potential. Therefore, the United Nations' adoption of the International Day of Play and its widespread support from many countries is of great significance. Mr. Carsten expressed his gratitude to the Vietnamese Government for promoting this Resolution and looked forward to continuing to work closely with the Vietnamese Government and UNICEF to support children to have more access to play and learning through play.

Mr. Carsten Rasmussen, Chief Operating Officer of the LEGO Group, emphasized that play can change lives. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

At the ceremony, children presented 31 paintings selected from more than 8,000 submitted to UNICEF on the theme of dream playground. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Ngo Tuan Loc, a 5th grade student at Vinschool, Hanoi, shares his fun activities with The Gioi & Viet Nam Newspaper. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Sharing with The Gioi & Viet Nam Newspaper, Ngo Tuan Loc could not hide his pride and joy when representing Vietnamese children to present in English to international guests at the first International Day of Play Celebration in Vietnam.

"This is the first time I have been to a new place like this, it is a great opportunity for me. When I return to school, I will tell my friends to spread the wonderful things together. And I want to tell my peers to spend more time playing, actively participating in extracurricular activities such as painting, workshops, tug of war... to balance between playing and studying at school", said Ngo Tuan Loc.

Besides playing outside, in school classes, Ngo Tuan Loc and his friends are taught by teachers who combine theory with Vietnamese folk games to help students become more interested in the subjects.

Le Thao Linh, a 9th grade student at Hanoi Experimental School, and her schoolyard painting in the children's painting contest launched by UNICEF this year. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Of the 31 paintings selected for display at today's event, Le Thao Linh was most impressed and proud of the painting of her Experimental School. With the theme of "an integrated and environmentally friendly playground", the painting was created from bright colors, trees, a soccer field... giving Linh a familiar, simple feeling. "For every generation of students, the schoolyard is always the dream playground of every Vietnamese child", said Le Thao Linh.

Delegates take souvenir photos. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/vui-choi-cong-cu-manh-me-cho-su-phat-trien-cua-tre-em-273173.html