International Day of Play is observed on June 11.

• Children who play from an early age show better academic performance during adolescence.
• Play can boost the development of socio-emotional and cognitive skills by up to 30%.
• The analysis was conducted by the social enterprise aeioTU, the only organization in Colombia—and the only Spanish-speaking organization in Latin America—to receive the LEGO Prize for its play-based educational model.

Integrating play into learning can reduce aggressive behaviors in young children by up to 40%, according to an analysis released by the organization aeioTU to mark International Day of Play, celebrated on June 11.

According to aeioTU’s analysis—which cross-referenced its own data on over 680,000 children participating in its programs in 2024 with studies from the World Bank, UNICEF, and other child-focused organizations—play is a cornerstone of learning, holistic development, and well-being during early childhood.

As Victoria Arciniegas, Executive Director of aeioTU, explains: "Recognizing play as a central element of holistic child development is fundamental. We may not always notice it, but complex, high-level skills—such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, which are essential for functioning in society—are built during childhood through play."

Furthermore, the report emphasizes the importance of recognizing that play experiences are not merely for fun; they play a critical and crucial role in children's learning, preparing them to tackle the challenges of childhood as well as those they will face throughout adulthood.

The analysis also highlights the impact of play on childhood: it can boost the development of socio-emotional and cognitive skills by up to 30%; children who play from an early age perform better academically during adolescence; and play enhances critical skills—such as attention, self-control, problem-solving, and creativity—throughout childhood and into adulthood.

Furthermore, the analysis identifies at least five types of play that are key to early childhood development: physical play, which fosters psychomotor and social skills; object play, which can enhance reasoning and language abilities; symbolic play, which develops phonological awareness; pretend play, which boosts creativity and memory; and games with rules, which strengthen mathematical skills and school adjustment.

“On this International Day of Play, we issue an urgent call for families, educators, communities, public and private sector organizations, and decision-makers to safeguard the time, space, and conditions necessary for children to play freely, with sensitive guidance and meaningful materials. Promoting play during childhood is an investment in well-being, equity, and the future,”Arciniegas stated.

How does Colombia compare within the region?

The analysis acknowledges that, compared to other Latin American countries, Colombia stands out for its robust regulatory framework, clear technical guidelines, and significant initiatives—such as those implemented by organizations like aeioTU—that intentionally and consistently integrate play into their pedagogical models based on evidence.

At the national level, the State policy for comprehensive early childhood development, *De Cero a Siempre* (Law 1804 of 2016), establishes that children develop their potential, capabilities, and skills through play, art, literature, and exploration of their environment. However, challenges persist in Colombia regarding equitable access, teacher training, and community adoption of play as a strategy to support learning.

While countries such as Uruguay and Chile have made progress in developing mechanisms to evaluate and measure the quality of play-based activities, Colombia is still working to strengthen systems that can systematically measure their impact and quality across diverse contexts.

A Colombian educational model that won an international award

Colombia is the only Spanish-speaking Latin American country to have won an international award recognizing excellence in an educational model based on learning through play. This achievement was realized through the social enterprise aeioTU, which was honored with the LEGO Prize in 2022 for its outstanding contribution to learning through play.

The aeioTU educational experience—or pedagogical program—centers on play as a strategy for the holistic development of children, fostering cognitive, socio-emotional, and creative skills across various developmental stages. This model stands out from other methodologies by providing an active learning environment where children can naturally experiment, explore, and create, thereby stimulating curiosity and critical thinking from an early age.

This June, aeioTU celebrates 17 years of implementing a unique learning model in the country. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the aeioTU educational experience is built upon the pillars of play, art, and inquiry. Through this educational model, the organization has reached more than one million children across various regions of the country.