As the world marked World Play Day on May 28, Cotlands highlighted the importance of play in early childhood development and renewed its commitment to protecting every child’s right to safe, inclusive and meaningful play opportunities.

The organisation is expanding access to quality early learning through its new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) hub model, which aims to support vulnerable children across South Africa.

The hubs provide a range of services, including Toy Libraries, a birth-to-three parenting programme, ECD centres and training facilities for early childhood development practitioners.

Together, these services offer comprehensive support for children, parents, ECD practitioners and ECD centre owners.

CEO of Cotlands, Dr Monica Stach, said, “Play is essential for every child’s learning, development and wellbeing. Through our new ECCE hub model, we are committed to ensuring that children have access to quality play-based early learning opportunities that help unlock a child’s full potential.

“Awareness days such as World Play Day are important days for Cotlands to advocate for the importance of play and a reminder that play is a fundamental child right recognised in Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

This year’s World Play Day activities reached more than 1 400 children and focused on inclusive play.

Children participated in a wide range of activities, including storytelling, arts and crafts, construction play, obstacle courses, educational games, fantasy play, music and movement sessions, relay races and collaborative art projects.

In Macassar and surrounding communities, children took part in fun-filled activities designed to promote inclusion and social connection.

In Mpumalanga, more than 836 children and 91 ECD practitioners from 24 ECD centres in Bushbuckridge and Hazyview joined large-scale play sessions.

The event featured 20 activity stations that encouraged creativity, movement, problem-solving and teamwork.

Children in Mamelodi enjoyed educational and imaginative play experiences, including puzzles, mathematics games, balancing activities, reading corners and make-believe play.

At the Hlabisa Toy Library in KwaZulu-Natal, Cotlands welcomed learners from four ECD centres as well as Grade R pupils from a nearby school. A total of 122 children participated in a variety of educational and recreational activities.

The organisation partnered with Wildlife ACT to promote conservation awareness, while the Hlabisa Municipality hosted storytelling sessions that encouraged learning through imagination and play.

To further support early childhood development, Cotlands has launched its Deal for a Difference campaign.

The initiative encourages South Africans to support children in under-resourced communities who have limited access to play opportunities.

Supporters can purchase a pack of Cotlands-branded playing cards, invite family, friends or colleagues to play a game, and donate R28 per player.

Funds raised will help provide vulnerable children with access to early learning and play opportunities. To order your Deal for a Difference pack of cards, visit www.cotlands.org