Around 6,000 children enjoyed a play time with a difference – at a special online assembly with the Children’s Commissioner to mark UN International Day of Play.
Nicola Killean, the Children’s and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, hosted the assembly for primary-aged children, alongside Elsie 14 year old student from Dumfries and Galloway, who is a member of the Commissioner’s Young Advisors group.
The interactive assembly had BSL interpretation and was delivered in partnership with e-Sgoil, Scotland’s online learning and teaching platform.
During the assembly, children discovered more about the right to play, rest, and relax. They also had the opportunity to share their experiences about play and exercise at school to help inform the Commissioner’s Young Advisors’ international work on the right to physical health.
Children from Windsor Park School in Falkirk shared what they like to do to exercise their right to play at school and at home in a short film, and the children at the assembly took part in a draw-along session with artist Corrina Campbell, from Inverness. She illustrated the Children’s Commissioner’s book for younger children called Let’s Explore Our Rights, and showed children how to draw the Rights Rabbit character from the story.
Nicola said: “It was fantastic to host the assembly with Elsie about the right to play, rest and relax, and the children at Windsor Park school did an amazing job in their video explaining how they like to play.
“As children grow up, play helps them to understand the world and opportunities to play are essential for children’s development and socialisation. It is the government’s job to make sure that children have access to play and cultural and artistic activities which contribute positively to a wide range of their rights.
“It was important to hear what children enjoy playing at school and at home, and what they shared will inform our Young Advisors when they meet other young people from all over Europe this summer to talk about the right to physical health.”Young Advisor Elsie, from Dumfries and Galloway, said: “I really enjoyed hosting the assembly, and it flew by. I loved the draw-along and the Windsor Park video was great.”
The 30-minute rights assembly was the third in the Commissioner’s series for primary-aged children for this school year. The first was held to mark World Children’s Day on 20 November, 2024, and the second marked International Day of Happiness on 20 March. The next assembly will again be held on World Children’s Day later this year.
