Play is critical for kids’ development — but ‘play’ in research is often defined by adult scientists, not the children themselves. To understand what kids really need, a team of scientists in Denmark asked them, developing a special questionnaire based on children’s own words to rate play experiences. They found that children’s idea of ‘good’ play sometimes isn’t what adults would consider ‘nice’ play, potentially involving competition or mischief — but in order to have fun, kids always need social alignment with their peers and opportunities to take part. The researchers say these results show kids need more agency in how they play. 

The global community engaged in education for sustainable development and peace will gather in Sanya, Hainan, China, for the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet) Global National Coordinators Meeting, taking place from March 31 to April 2, 2026. As one of the world's largest and longest-standing international education cooperation networks, ASPnet will hold its flagship annual gathering under the theme "Education Transformation in Practice".

Organized jointly by UNESCO and the Hainan Provincial Department of Education, this landmark event brings together education leaders, national coordinators, and UNESCO experts from more than 50 countries across five global regions: Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, Arab States, and Sub-Saharan Africa.