Transforming Play

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Nature based learning and play are core principles at our school.  In order to better reflect this philosophy, our main playground was redesigned this year.  A very traditional playground was transformed into an exploratory playscape intended to stimulate the senses and inspire interaction with nature.

 

Plants were chosen to attract wildlife and encourage discovery through life cycle stages.

Some of the original play equipment was retained, including a swing set and climbing structure.  A sand box was removed and the children now enjoy a sand area large enough to have a dry space and an area for wet sand play.  The wet side has a hand pump so that children may work together to fill buckets with water.  There is a sluiceway that empties into the sand center.

The traditional slide was improved by recessing it into a man-made berm.  The slide ends at one end of the sand pit.  

The berm provides a variety of challenging experiences.  Simply getting to the top in order to slide down into the sand pit requires a good climb, utilizing muscles that are often under used.  Another benefit of the berm is the simple pleasure of rolling down a hill, or playing gravity ball.

The highlight of this new space is the pondless stream bed.  The children never tire of walking up and down through the gently flowing water.  Climbing over big boulders, or simply sitting alongside the stream are two favorite activities of both the children and the staff.  The lush plantings attract butterflies and birds, and the sound of flowing water is quite soothing on a hot Texas summer day.

Even the most timid and cautious children are drawn to the stream.  This child carefully walked from the top of the stream to the bottom.  You can see her pride in a challenge well met.