Play is imporant !
Children like to play in various ways, through their choices of interest and abilities. kids love various forms of play at different times and place. All children and young people, disabled or have special needs must be able to a have the chance to experience stimulating challenging risk-taking while they are playing.
Improving our Playscapes
A well-designed outdoor area will inspire children to be challenged, want to learn about the natural world, in addition still being a fun and satisfying place to be and uniquely belonging to their school.
Five guidelines to help in designing a Playspace
- Play Playing
- Play learning
- Play Safety
- Play Care
- Play Environment
Play Playing
Play is an essential part of a child’s life and vital for their development, keeping children challenged with different activities,
- Natural PlayScape
- Traversing Walls
- Playground Markings
- Balancing beams
- Fitness Trail
- Mounds
- Play Equipment
- Sports grounds
Play Learning
Learning while being in a different environment out in open spaces, helps children to learn and enjoy natural surroundings
- Outdoor Study Areas
- Outdoor Educational Landscapes
- Wildlife Zones
- Growing Area
Play Safety
Designing play areas which will attract children to have fun and be safe
- Create a challenging risk-free environment
- Take appropriate risk assessment
- Compliance to E.U Assessment
- Compliance with E.U Regulations
- Maximize opportunities for natural surveillance from within and outside buildings
- Accessibility, movement patterns reduce congestion points
- Avoid hidden areas
- shelter and shade
- Plants, Trees to be non-toxic
- Fencing and childproof catches on main doors
- impact absorbing surfaces, conform to relevant health and safety standards
Play Care
Designing with maintenance and management in mind improves sustainability
- Planning school playgrounds should be in collaboration with Landscape Architects in conjunction with educators, parents, and pupils
- Playground to be welcoming, inspiring, comfortable and safe
- Management and maintenance plus crucial for long-term success and sustainability for grounds
- Longevity and robustness of materials and equipment need to be taken into account
- Annual inspections and assessments, frequent daily inspections by staff or volunteers
- Drought tolerant plants
- E.U Standard Regulations
- Accessibility and circulation
- Storage
Play Environment
Valuing our surroundings is a priority when designing taking all in consideration
- The existing topography, soil types and climate
- Fit their surroundings and enhance local environment
- Reflect cultural diversity and school identity
- Maximize the positive capacity of the natural environment
- Include light, shade, ventilation, and microclimates
- Use native plants
- Natural Materials
- Transport connections around school, to be accessible by walking and cycling
- Optimizing all green technology
- Loved by the community
- After hours activities
Children should be able to play freely and enjoy their time, having fun, being able to take risks and challenges in their playscape environment. Let’s start making Playscapes that children love. Cyprus is in need of Play Areas and Parks.
