How is play beneficial?
Creativity:
Our equipment structures the students play, it acts as the fundamental building blocks of which has the ability to initiate many forms of play. For example, if the students utilise the materials to build a pretend car, the process alone can develop creativity in the students when they think of the design of the car and/or how they may use the car as a tool for play. Additionally, because the equipment we are implementing are mobile and can be put together in different variations and forms, students can explore the space according to their own agenda. During an interview with Selina Kong(the founder of Big Things Hk) she mentioned how her playground had elements of “unstructured play” this was aimed so the kids can interpret the space on their own.
Conflict resolution:
Of course when it comes to play, conflicts are bound to arise. Whether it is fighting over who gets to use the equipment first or simply who gets the piece of equipment for their creation. We believe with the right guidance from the teachers, the students will start to understand the importance of patience and waiting their turn. Furthermore, as the kids will need to share the equipment they will learn to work together and resolve issues as a team.
Communication: Increased interaction possibility
The principal of Fuyang mentioned how many of the kids have never experienced structured play due to an absence of it in their lives. They often play/resolve conflict by tackling each other to the ground. With a physical playground, kids have more opportunities to interact with one another thus developing skills such as teamwork and cooperation. They will no longer be interacting using physical/ more violent movements. Instead, they can start to use verbal skills to resolve problems.
Risk Taking:
When we asked about what was the most challenging aspect regarding the process of building her playground, Ms. Kong answered with “It was hard to gain the parents trust as our playground values risk taking in play.” She discussed how there are more unique pieces of equipment such as “the hard rock trampoline” and the fact that her “playground is not reliant on mats for safety” which enables the children to take risks. We are taking her ideology and implementing it in our playground as the kids will need to learn how to assess the risk then potentially take it. According to parents.org, risks instill confidence, independent thinking, motor skills and perception. They allow the kids experience failure and the process of overcoming that. With the teachers support, kids can hopefully see risks as a positive notion from a young age.