Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content
Lucy running through a remote comunity in Malaita Province, the Solom Islands.

Everything is connected. No one knows that better than Alison, a mother of six from Malaita in the Solomon Islands. Her country – made up of hundreds of islands in the South Pacific – is a microcosm for climate change. Increasingly ferocious winds and rains have wrecked the mangroves that always acted as a natural buffer for the islands. Now the cyclones and sea water make their way inland uninhibited, flattening homes and killing the garden crops that so many Solomon Islanders rely on for food and money. “When I was just married into this family a strong wind blew down all the houses in our area. Our own home was blown down too,” remembers Alison. “We escaped with only the clothes on our back.” It's an existential threat for Alison, her children, and the future of their country - one that short term help like food aid won’t solve. “I do not want my children to have to experience this again. I want to protect them from that.” Save the Children is working hand in hand with communities to take on climate change through connections of our own. In collaboration with local NGO, Mai Maaasina Green Belt, our Nature Based Solutions project aims to restore protective ecosystems like mangroves, and help families diversify their income away from farming. That’s why Alison is part of a group of women and young people training to keep bees. Bees love mangroves, which provide a perfect haven. In turn, they pollinate the mangroves, helping them grow. The mangroves then protect the islands – along with wildlife and food sources like fish and crabs - from storms and high tides. They even store carbon deposits that don’t make their way into the atmosphere, effectively slowing climate change globally. And all the while, the bees produce sweet honey for community farmers to sell. “With honeybee training I know if I do it well, I am able to earn money for my family,” says Alison. “For 1 kilo it is $200, and I can produce up to $4,000, so I am like "Wow".” With that money, Alison can pay for her children’s school fees, giving them opportunities to thrive. She can make sure they’re well fed too – even when heavy rain inevitably affects her garden in future. We can’t stop climate change. But by thinking differently, and making connections like these, we can help families adapt and stay safe through the storms ahead. Conor Ashleigh / Save the Children

11 Jun 2024 Global

Explainer outlining the power of play and it's importance for the development of children globally.

Lucy running through a remote comunity in Malaita Province, the Solom Islands.Conor Ashleigh / Save the Children

Today marks the first-EVER International Day of Play, which has been declared by the United Nations General Assembly to champion and protect children's right to play.

WE STAND SIDE BY SIDE WITH CHILDREN IN THE WORLD'S 
TOUGHEST PLACES.

The Day of Play on 11 June was added to the list of global annual observances recognised by the United Nations, following a successful campaign by Save the Children, the LEGO Group and The LEGO Foundation and other partners, to recognise play as a critical developmental activity for children.

There are so many reasons we should all be celebrating the power of play:

1. PLAY SUPPORT CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT

Children learn cognitive skills such as concentrations, memory, language, and fine motor skills, as well as social and emotional skills.

 

Samuel (3) and Said (4) having fun playing on a green plastic horse

Samuel, 3 (front) and Said, 4 (back) having fun playing on a green plastic horse. Lucia Zoro / Save the Children Lucia Zoro / Save the Children

2. PLAY BENEFITS MENTAL HEALTH

Play contributes to wellbeing by providing opportunities to process, cope with, and recover from distressing situations - like conflict or natural disasters. This allows children to regain a sense of normalcy and sepdn time with friends. 

 

CH1829268_Boy and girl play with figures of citizens of dream city created with Lego constructor by

Boy and girl play with figures of citizens of dream city created with Lego constructor by children. Oleksandr Khomenko/ Save the Children oleksandr khomenko

3. PLAY HELPS CHILDREN LEARN

Learning through play can improve academic learning outcomes, inclusing literacy and numeracy. 

CH1811263_Mercy learning through play.jpg

Mercy learning through play. Save the Children in Uganda. Save the Children in Uganda

4. PLAY PREPARES CHILDREN FOR THE FUTURE

Imaginative play is a fun way for children to safely practice critical thinking, problem-solving and risk-taking.

 

CH1956690_Marah 11 waving her hand in the air as she plays in the camp playground.JPG

Marah* 11 waving her hand in the air as she plays in the camp playground. Bonyan / Save The Children Bonyan / Save The Children

                     EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY.

But in many parts of the world, play is viewed simply as something to keep children occupied. It is not seen as a right.

Around the world, children’s access to and experience of play differs enormously and play often faces similar barriers to other rights Save the Children strives to protect – barriers associated to gender, age, socio-economic status, disability, perceived value.

➡️ 1 in 3 children and young people do not have the time to play.
➡️ 1 in 5 lack safe spaces to play
➡️ 1 in 5 have no one to play with

It’s more critical than ever that every child can realise and celebrate their universal right to play.

EXPLORE THE POWER OF A SAFE PLACE TO PLAY. 

Related Blogs