Human Services Ministry hosts 1st Int’l Day of Play

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry teamed up with the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) to host the first International Day of Play for children across Guyana at various daycare facilities, and the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute.
This initiative was supported by UNICEF Guyana and the Government of Canada 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 CC&PA.

Subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud during her brief remarks emphasised the importance of play in the development of children’s innovative and creative skills, establishing healthy and positive social skills, and 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/Night Care Early Childhood Development Consortiums, along with Public-Private Partnerships to establish these centres in workplaces and organisations.
Dr 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 CC&PA in organising the first International Day of Play.

The Ministry of is fulfilling the call by UNICEF and UNESCO regarding the rights of every child 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’ and training in play-based teaching to caregivers.
UNICEF’s Social Policy Specialist, Michael Gills stated that UNICEF is committed to working with the Ministry and emphasised that play is 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 toward their achievement. Chargé D’Affaires of the Canadian Embassy, Caroline Mireault stated ‘forgetting to play causes us to be old’ referencing to poet George Bernard Shaw while affirming Canada’s commitment to partnership with the Government of Guyana on pivotal areas, including early childhood development.
Remarks were also given by the Acting Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Levine Gouveia who shared 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 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.