Annie Friday is joined by Playworker Adele Cleaver to talk about the newly declared International Day of Play that will take place on June 11 annually. The United Nations adopted this official day after play advocates and global partners proved the need for it through surveys, research, and data that showed children around the world don't believe adults take play seriously enough. Not only can play ignite and enhance learning experiences, play can help humans process emotions, sort through traumatic events, and make new discoveries about themselves and the world around them. Adele offers tips on how to talk to your learning institutions and other play stakeholders in raising awareness regarding the benefits of play. Adele also shares some of her recent favorite play memories with inspiration from the Orleans House Gallery, the GLUE Collective, Suzanne Axelsson of Interaction Imagination, Penny Wilson of Assemble Play, and of course The Playwork Foundation.The reality is that UNICEF estimates that about 160 million children globally are working rather than playing and learning. By declaring June 11 as International Day of Play, advocates hope that adults and decision-makers will be able to invest in, provide for, protect, respect, and support play. Play is not only essential to childhood, but rather essential to humanity. Find more info on Adele Cleaver at Big Blue Play or on social media as @AdelePlayworker