On November 20, 2013, the Ministère wanted to mark Wold Children's Day with a drawing contest highlighting the importance of play in early childhood. Children from all childcare services across Québec were invited to take part in the Children and Play contest for the creation of a poster. They were asked to draw their favourite game. More than 4,000 pictures were sent to the Ministère de la Famille.
Play: a fundamental right recognized by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Article 31 of the Convention states that all children have a right “to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child…”
- All adults in the child's life should value and support children in their play-based learnings.
- The importance of play in children's development is widely recognized by international organizations such as the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP), UNICEF, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The UNESCO and Canadian Council on Learning also highlight the importance of play in early childhood education programs.
- At the 100th Conseil des ministres de l’Éducation (CMEC) meeting, the work of the ministers led to a
common statement on play-based learning.
The importance of play according to the Ministère de la Famille
The Ministère uses this day to mark the importance of play for children and the key role adults play in promoting play and supporting young children. It reiterates the right to play in childhood, an often forgotten element in our busy day-to-day that we hope is productive.
The Ministère considers play to be the main development and learning tool for young children. The
Accueillir la petite enfance educational program proposed by the Ministère targets the global development of young children, and play is considered to be the main activity to include in educational childcare services.
Furthermore, the Ministère uses this day to thank the staff of educational childcare services, who understand the importance of play and who support little ones in their play-based learning every day. It also encourages parents to offer children to experience various types of play.
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