Title
Recognizing June 11th as the International Day of Play in the City of Philadelphia, and honoring the Live and Learn initiative for its groundbreaking work bringing Playful Learning environments to affordable housing communities, in alignment with the global mission to elevate and protect every child’s right to play.
Body
WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly adopted June 11th as the International Day of Play, acknowledging play as a fundamental right of every child and essential to their learning, development, and well-being; and
WHEREAS, Play supports the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development of children, helping them thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world; and
WHEREAS, According to global surveys, over 70% of children believe that adults do not take play seriously enough, despite evidence that play contributes significantly to school readiness, academic performance, and lifelong learning skills; and
WHEREAS, Playful Learning combines the joy of play with intentional design to foster language development, literacy, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and shared engagement between children and caregivers; and
WHEREAS, On June 11, 2025, Philadelphia will mark the second International Day of Play with the unveiling of Live and Learn-the first Playful Learning installations in affordable housing communities in the United States, located in the North Central and Sharswood neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, The Live and Learn initiative, supported by the William Penn Foundation and led by Watchdog Real Estate Project Management, Playful Learning Landscapes, and Masters Group Design, has brought together developers, architects, and community members to co-design spaces that celebrate imagination, storytelling, and community identity; and
WHEREAS, These installations creatively transform sidewalks, benches, building interiors, and outdoor areas into brain-building environments, reflecting neighborhood culture while engaging both children and adults in meaningful learning experiences; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes that equitable access to quality learning environments-especially in historically underserved communities-is essential to the City's broader goals of educational empowerment, community development, and child well-being; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby recognize June 11th as International Day of Play in the City of Philadelphia, in alignment with the United Nations and global partners, to emphasize the vital importance of play in every child’s life.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council honors and celebrates the Live and Learn initiative for its pioneering work in embedding Playful Learning into affordable housing and serving as a national model for how cities can center children and families in community development.
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