Playground revamp now included special needs learners
The new playground will positively impact the development of the leaners in many aspects of their lives, including physically and mentally.
Playing outside plays an essential role in the development of children with special needs, including physical disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders.
This was according to New Hope School social worker, Wilma Pretorius, during the revamp of the foundation phase playground at the school on May 8.
In celebration of RED Day, volunteers came together to refurbish the playground to make it accessible and fit for every learner’s needs.
Pretorius said the expansion and special design of the playground are going to have a very positive impact on the learners’ development and livelihood.
The volunteers did a lot of renovations, including tracks which were made on the playground to enable learners with physical disabilities and those in wheelchairs to easily access and move around it.
“Some of the things on the playground weren’t accessible for physically disabled children, and they would not have the opportunity to play like the other learners.
“Our physiotherapists always encourage a lot of moving around for the learners to develop their muscles and connections from their brains to the nerves. But because the space was too small for everyone to fit in, the learners would not want to participate.”
She said a bigger and nicer playground encourages learners to take part in moving and using their bodies in different ways.
She added that the playground will also improve the learners’ cognitive development and social skills.
“Children learn through play. The more variety they have in their play sessions, the more they are able to develop on certain levels.”
Pretorius said that for learners with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, who often get frustrated with learning traditionally, it becomes a different way to learn.
“After having to concentrate in class for a while, their energy builds up, but now they will have the opportunity to let it all out and exercise, which really helps to calm them down, reset and be able to focus again.”
Other renovations included the expansion of a sandpit, shaded canopies, buddy benches and drawing and painting of floor games.
Sponsors and volunteers played games with the learners while their new playground was being prepared.
One of the volunteers, Jenny Buck, said she feels content to have made an impact on the children’s different developmental processes through the playground.
New Hope School principal Gerhard Venter said he feels honoured to have had volunteers assisting the school in the upgrade of the playground and making it accessible to all learners.
“It’s not just about beautifying… but the functionality of the playground that makes a difference with the learners in a sense that they can spontaneously develop physically and mentally as they are playing.”
Venter expressed his gratitude to all the role players in the revamp of the playground and said the new play area will definitely improve their learners’ development in all aspects.
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