Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "It is a happy talent to know how to play." Today JHES students joined schools from around the world to participate in Global Play Day. Students brought toys and games to school and enjoyed some unstructured play time with peers in their classrooms. Imagination, problem solving, social interaction and fun were encouraged, but electronics were not allowed.
What is the history of Global Play Day? In 2015, a small group of created Global School Play Day because of their concern that adults and technology were encroaching on playtime for children. According to data shared on Global School Play February 4, 2015, was the first annual Global School Play Day for students in schools around the world. In year one, over 65,000 students participated! Over 177,000 students took part in 2016. In 2017, over 283,000 kids celebrated Global School Play Day. In 2018, over 385,000 students from 58 nations participated. In 2019, just the 5th year of the event, 535,690 from 72 nations played. In 2020, 563,283 students from 75 nations.