IMPORTANCE OF PLAY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PLAY

Abstract

Children’s play is first and foremost a matter of human rights. As declared in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989), all children and young people have the right to play and have an intrinsic need to play. Play provides opportunities for children and young people to be free to choose what they do, and to challenge themselves, take risks and enjoy freedoms. (Playboard Northern Ireland, Young researchers’ team, 2013). General Comment 17 of the UNCRC states that children need to play in order to grow, learn and that play is a way of taking part in everyday life. Play also provides opportunities to promote gender equality and is essential for children’s health and well-being. The importance of play in early childhood education (ECE) will be analyzed with a specific emphasis on the sociological dimension and as a right granted to children by the UNCRC.