11/06/2026
Today is International Day of Play, and we’re celebrating the power of play in helping children learn, grow, and thrive.
This year’s theme, “Protect Play, Protect Childhood”, reminds us that play is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right and an essential part of every child’s development and wellbeing. Every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves safe spaces, opportunities, and time to play.
At Masinyusane, we see the power of play every day through our literacy and numeracy programmes, ECD centres, and community playgroups across the Eastern Cape. Through structured and child-led play, children develop executive functioning skills such as working memory, self-regulation, problem-solving, planning, and cognitive flexibility. These skills form the foundation for learning, healthy relationships, and future success.
Play also supports the development of fine and gross motor skills, language and communication, creativity, social connection, and early STEAM learning. Whether children are building, storytelling, singing, dancing, solving puzzles, exploring nature, or playing games with their peers, they are developing skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Protecting play means protecting childhood itself. It means creating communities, schools, and learning environments where children can be curious, imaginative, active, and joyful.
Today, we celebrate all the educators, caregivers, parents, mentors, and community members who make play possible and who recognise that some of life’s most important lessons are learned through play.
STEAMEducation Literacy Numeracy Masinyusane
