 Map
of the Area |
An area of real play must be created in a way that:
- children do a lot of things together,
- children try to investigate the unknown, both in a social and physical environment,
- children frequently will look for the same activities and in this way can learn more
about themselves, about other children and about the environment,
- children are given the possibility to alter different aspects of the environment, and
that they must be given the possibilities for their own imagination and creativity, and
- children are given rich possibilities to experience the joy of moving the limits of
their potential capacity.
We must show consideration that children have different basic qualifications.
Individual differences are a great inspiration for real play, but puts special
requirements to the play area.
If the play area shall function for everyone, there is a requirement that:
All children must be able to choose the activity they wish to do with regards to
who they are together with, previous experiences they have, and in respect to this what
level of development they are at.
This requires:
- that the play area is created on the knowledge we have about the sensory possibilities
that humans have through their genetic hereditary
that the play area is created in a way that it demands movement which on a rising scale
challenges the coordination between their senses and their movements.
that the play area stimulates the social development of the child
that the play area has so many activities and is so rich that the child does not have to
wait, or fight, to be able to take part in play activities.
What should the contents of the area consist of?
Skudeneshavn Primary School:
The following should be emphasized:
- The activity should involve more than one person at the same time.
- The children should be able to group themselves in minigroups: the area ought to consist
of many small elements: i.e. soft-tennis, skipping areas, table-tennis , tennis rackets
(many of each category).
- Similar quality of play activities in the play area.
- We wish to have a play area where there is a need for basic,motoric movements.
- We wish to take care of and provide facilities that will develop the positive elements
which already exist in the play area.
Skudeneshavn:
- The play area of the school is unique because there is a lot of space around the school.
- A lot of hide-and-seek activities take place all the time.
We wish to keep these areas intact.
We use the trees for "jungle" activities. Here the wood is an important
resource and we wish to take good care of the trees.
The area had to be adjusted to different activities.
Some branches have been cut to make better space in some parts of the wood.
We have also trimmed the branches so that they are more inviting for the children to
climb.
We have not made unneccessary interferences in the play area; the activities should
happen as much as possible in a natural manner with regards to the environment.
The activities that there has been created spaces for are:
- More areas for climbing/jungle activities – these have been created by using strong
posts and also using car tires.
- Hide-and-seek areas.
- An area for gymnastic activities.
- Different ball activities, a large pitch is split into several small pitches,
avoiding two strong teams and giving more room for each child to compete at its'
own level.
- Different ball activities: table-tennis, softball, badminton, tennis, softtennis and
basketball.
Many baskets with different diametres and heights.
Room for sheltered areas with benches and tables.
"Pavilion" – music studio where there is space for musical activities,
"instruments" that can be used to make colourful sounds.
Sand basin – it should be on several levels and in connection with water.
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