Indonesia and Haiti Emphasize Play and Parenting for Child Development

National Children’s Day was highlighted in both Indonesia and Haiti as a catalyst for improving child development. In Indonesia, Central Java Secretary Sumarno urged parents, educators and officials to improve the quality of early education and character building, stressing that early learning environments must be safe, inclusive and supportive. He noted that the foundation laid in preschool strongly influences later academic success and social‑emotional skills.

A Haitian article cited Harvard Health Publishing, explaining that play is essential for brain growth, social interaction, emotional regulation and physical health. It warned that increasingly busy school schedules and screen time limit children’s opportunities for free play, reducing the benefits that puzzles, building blocks and group games provide for problem‑solving and cooperation.