GRAAFF-REINET NEWS— “Playscape” is an outdoor learning facility which has been established at Union Preparatory School. It all started with an old unused netball court and a vision.

According to The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (UK), learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement, and promoting a sense of well-being.

The outdoor environment offers space and is therefore particularly important to those children who learn best through active movement. Young children learn predominately through their sensory and physical experiences which support brain development and the creation of neural networks.

A substantial amount of research was done by the committee and educators in order to ensure that the layout, equipment and activities allowed for a productive “outdoor classroom” and a useful aid in curriculum instruction.

Focus was placed on hand-and-eye coordination, increasing the cooperation between the right and left brain and enabling physical interaction with educational concepts. 

The construction of Playscape was done by a team of volunteer parents, educators and school staff.

Playscape activities include a traverse climbing wall, a giant number grid 1-100; Twister; a variety of horizontal and vertical hoops for ball/bean bag activities; Mirror Me; climbing frame; large chalkboard; giant Chess and balance beams.

There is also a circuit of exercises which include hopscotch, tightrope, hopping, side jumps, mind-the-crack and walking on all fours. 

Playscape is a facility that will never be complete as there will constantly be new activities added and rotated to maintain excitement and interest. Union Preparatory School looks forward to many happy hours of learning and play in this outdoor learning area.

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