‘International Day of Play’ Marks Importance of Children Having Fun With Families

This year, June 11 will be declared the world’s first International Day of Play by the U.N. General Assembly. Academics in the field said the importance of play was extremely important—even for adults. Deakin University Associate Professor of Play Therapy, Judi Parson, from the School of Health and Social Development, said the establishment of an International Day of Play was a wonderful way to champion the deep value of play. “Play supports physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development as well as our emotional health and well-being,” she said. “It enhances our quality of life, mental health, and cognitive abilities, including critical thinking skills, creativity, and counterfactual thinking....