Life
JAM | Feb 6, 2025

Kingston Creative and UNICEF partner to celebrate Global School Play Day

/ Our Today

administrator
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Education Minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon is all smiles with (L-R) Dennis Zulu, Resident Coordinator United Nations; Rebecca Tortello, Education Specialist, UNICEF; Olga Isaza Representative, UNICEF Jamaica; Andrea Dempster Chung, executive director, Kingston Creative; Janet Crick, deputy director Kingston Creative and children and teachers from Edward Seaga Infant School. (Photo: Verrol Blake for Kingston Creative)

Children from Edward Seaga Infant School gathered at Kingston Creative’s downtown art district with the UNICEF team for a day filled with art, technology, and playful exploration in celebration of Global School Play Day 2025.

The joint event was a resounding success, bringing smiles and inspiration to young hearts.

The kids delighted in the stunning murals adorning Water Lane. Vibrant works of art, created by local artists, sparked curiosity and admiration among the young visitors. The event featured a variety of games and playful activities that kept children entertained and educated. 

One of the event’s highlights was the UNICEF mural, created in November 2024. This mural, a symbol of the rights of the child, captivated the children’s imaginations and served as a reminder of the importance of global cooperation for the well-being of children. The excitement reached its peak with a special visit from education minister Dana Morris Dixon.

High five for effort! Olga Isaza UNICEF Jamaica representative UNICEF Jamaica and Dr Dana Morris Dixon playing with blocks with a young charge. (Photo: Verrol Blake for Kingston Creative)

The minister shared insights into the significance of art and play in education, inspiring both children and parents to embrace playful creativity as a powerful tool for learning.

“It was so wonderful to be invited by UNICEF and to be able to play with some of our children, here in Downtown, and to look at some of the beautiful murals that Kingston Creative has been doing,” said Morris Dixon. “I always remind our parents, play is central to the development of our children… they need the space to learn about sharing, to learn about resilience…There’s so many values you learn when you play.” 

The Kingston Creative Artwalk is a child-friendly and inclusive experience, which also features augmented reality.  

Kingston Creative tour guide Jasmine Wilson leading a tour of the murals on Water Lane on the mural art tour.(Photo: Verrol Blake for Kingston Creative)

Tours manager at Kingston Creative, Teisha-Ann Williams commented, “Over the years, we have welcomed many school groups from all over the country to tour these cultural and educational murals. The Kingston Creative Artwalk always brings a smile to the children’s faces and it is rapidly becoming a popular destination for school trips!”

Education minister Dr Dana Morris Dixon challenges children to a race on Water Lane, cheered on by Kingston Creative executive director Andrea Dempster Chung. (Photo: Verrol Blake for Kingston Creative)
Kingston Creative tour guide Jasmine Wilson proving how interactive the Mural Art guided tour can be for school children as young as infant school. (Photo: Verrol Blake for Kingston Creative)

Comments

What To Read Next