13/06/2026
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. Before children learn to read and write, they learn by exploring, imagining, creating and playing.
Play is a fundamental part of early childhood development. It helps children build confidence, develop social and emotional skills, nurture creativity and make sense of the world around them. Yet too many children still lack access to quality early childhood education and care education where play is recognized as a powerful part of learning.
Across UNESCO's Compendium of Promising Practices in Early Childhood Care and Education, countries share innovative pedagogical approaches that use play.
In Burkina Faso, an innovative picture-book initiative has improved learning opportunities for more than 7,800 young children while equipping hundreds of educators with new teaching tools.
In Nigeria, a play-based curriculum and teacher training programme are creating more engaging, child-centred learning environments.
And through the Sesame Workshop's ‘Watch, Play, Learn’ initiative in Bangladesh, Colombia and Kenya, children affected by crisis and displacement are developing foundational skills, resilience and social-emotional well-being through playful learning.
On the , reaffirms the importance of play as part of every child's right to learn, develop and thrive.
Because every child deserves the chance to grow and succeed.
Learn more: https://www.unesco.org/en/early-childhood-education
