International Day of Play (11 June 2026): Celebrating the Joy of Play with Kaitlyn

On International Day of Play (11 June 2026), Club Rainbow (Singapore) celebrates the simple yet powerful gift of play — and how it is helping children like Kaitlyn discover her voice, confidence and connection with the world around her. 

At nine years old, Kaitlyn is a cheerful, curious and sociable girl who loves exploring. Whether she’s heading out on an adventure with her family or learning something new in school, she approaches life with bright-eyed wonder and an enthusiastic “HELLO!” for everyone she meets. 

Kaitlyn lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Global Developmental Delay (GDD), including severe speech delay and challenges with fine motor skills. She currently relies on her parents for daily activities and personal care. Before beginning play therapy, engaging with toys did not come naturally to her. Instead of exploring how they worked, Kaitlyn often bit them, unsure of how to interact in ways that felt meaningful or fun. 

Through play therapy supported by Club Rainbow, small but significant shifts began to emerge. Kaitlyn started initiating play on her own, and the biting of non-food objects reduced. Most heartening of all was a moment her mother describes as unforgettable: 

“Kaitlyn picked up a toy stethoscope and began pretend play with me. We had never seen her engage in imaginative play before. Watching her mimic a real-world interaction nearly brought me to tears.” 

For her family, this wasn’t just play – it was connection, progress and hope. 

Kaitlyn joined Club Rainbow in mid-2024 after a chance encounter at KH Plaza, where one of Club Rainbow’s office premise and her preschool were located. A simple question from an acquaintance — “Why aren’t you with Club Rainbow?” — opened the door to a community that would become a lifeline. 

Since then, the Club Rainbow’s programmes have created opportunities the family once thought were out of reach. From overnight camps to family retreats, they have built precious memories together. With both parents navigating mid-career switches, the availability of free programmes has eased financial pressures during a season of rebuilding. Holiday activities and community-based programmes continue to give Kaitlyn regular exposure beyond home and school — an essential part of her social and developmental growth. 

Kaitlyn’s parents hope she will one day gain greater independence and form deep, meaningful relationships within her community. And if you ever meet her, you will likely be greeted with a big “HELLO!” — an open invitation into her wonderfully curious world. 

This International Day of Play, we are reminded that play is more than fun – it is also communication, imagination and belonging. And for children like Kaitlyn, it is a bridge to a brighter, more connected future. 

Make a difference today - support Club Rainbow’s children like Kaitlyn