Why Play
The Importance of Play: Nurturing Nature and Childhood
In today’s busy world, children are spending less time playing outdoors, impacting their development. Factors like packed schedules and safety concerns limit outdoor play opportunities, leading to a disconnect from nature. However, it is crucial to recognize the immense value of outdoor play.
Play in nature cultivates an appreciation for the environment. When children explore forests, touch soil, observe animals, climb mountains, splash in streams, or gaze at the vastness of the ocean, they develop a profound understanding of the natural world. This connection fosters a sense of responsibility towards preserving our planet.
It is essential to encourage outdoor play. Let us follow the example set by previous generations: send children outside to play and, even better, join them. By advocating for accessible play spaces and ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature, we nurture both the environment and childhood itself.
Every child deserves a safe place to play
Play is not just a pastime but a fundamental right of every child, recognized by the United Nations under Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). It is through play that children engage, explore, and interact with the world, promoting healthy brain development and overall well-being.
Sadly, millions of children worldwide lack access to adequate play opportunities, hindering their growth and potential. At Green Buddies, we are committed to changing this narrative. We bring Playstations to schools, creating safe and inclusive play spaces that foster play-based learning in early childhood.
By partnering play with education, we empower children to thrive and prepare for their future. Our mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to play, learn, and develop to their full potential.
Join us in fulfilling the right to play, as we make a positive impact on the lives of children and contribute to building a brighter and more equitable future.
Stem Education - Benefits of Play
Play-based Pedagogy
From STEM to STREAM at Playstation
What does it really mean?
At Green Buddies, we embrace a play-based pedagogy that extends from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to STREAM (Science, Technology, Recycling, Engineering, Art, and Math). But what does this really mean?
Through our Playstations, we create environments where children have limitless opportunities to practice STREAM skills and explore key concepts through free or structured play. Let’s break it down:
- Science: Children engage in hands-on experiments, observe the natural world, and develop critical thinking skills.
- Technology: They interact with age-appropriate technology tools and toys, fostering digital literacy and problem-solving abilities.
- Recycling: We promote sustainability by incorporating recycling concepts into play, teaching children the importance of reducing waste and repurposing materials.
- Engineering: Children build, design, and construct using various materials, developing creativity, spatial awareness, and logical thinking.
- Art: They express themselves through artistic activities, nurturing imagination, fine motor skills, and aesthetic appreciation.
- Maths: Math concepts are embedded in play, from counting and sorting to spatial reasoning and pattern recognition.
Science of Play
The Science of Play: Nurturing Curiosity through STREAM
Science is all around us, and children are naturally curious from a young age. They are eager to explore new experiences and engage their senses. Outdoor play provides the perfect setting for numerous STREAM learning opportunities.
At Green Buddies, we harness the power of play to cultivate scientific exploration. From planting in tyre planters to counting and observing the design of playground structures, every play experience becomes a learning opportunity. We have introduced scrap tyres as a sustainable recycling concept, supporting play while promoting environmental consciousness.
This innovation sparks children’s imaginations, leading to “what if…” questions and encouraging them to find their own innovative solutions. They can hypothesize the outcomes of their ideas and then discuss methods and results with their peers.
Through play, children develop important scientific skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and hypothesis testing. They become active participants in their learning journey, exploring the world around them and fostering a love for scientific inquiry.
Benefits
Curtailed dropout rate:
By incorporating better play pedagogy and creating engaging outdoor environments, Green Buddies aims to increase school enrollment and attendance, reducing the dropout rate.
Improved physical and mental health:
- Curtailed dropout rate: By incorporating better play pedagogy and creating engaging outdoor environments, Green Buddies aims to increase school enrollment and attendance, reducing the dropout rate.
- Improved physical health: Playgrounds offer opportunities for children to engage in various physical activities, such as climbing, walking, kicking, sliding, balancing, and more. These activities promote the development of motor skills, strengthen muscles, and enhance overall fitness, contributing to better physical health.
- Enhanced mental health: Engaging in play not only promotes physical well-being but also has positive effects on mental health. Playgrounds provide spaces for children to release energy, reduce stress, and improve their mood. Playful experiences foster creativity, imagination, and problem-solving skills, supporting healthy cognitive and emotional development.
- Social and emotional growth: Playgrounds encourage social interaction, cooperation, and communication among children. Through play, children learn to navigate social dynamics, resolve conflicts, and develop empathy and emotional resilience.
- Environmental awareness: Green Buddies promotes environmental consciousness by incorporating recycling concepts and sustainable practices into play. Children learn about the importance of reducing waste, repurposing materials, and caring for the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and respect for Mother Earth.
Teacher Training
Empowering Learning through Green Buddies Playstations
Green Buddies Playstations go beyond being just ordinary playgrounds. They serve as powerful tools to support “Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” as well as critical thinking skills. Designed using local materials, tools, and techniques, our playstations incorporate experiential learning concepts, effectively transforming them into outdoor classrooms.
With features like planters and play elements aligned with the curriculum, our playstations provide educators with valuable resources to enhance learning outcomes. Teachers are trained in “play-based pedagogy,” enabling them to leverage the power of play in their teaching methods. This approach not only makes learning more engaging and enjoyable but also fosters critical skills development in students.
Furthermore, Green Buddies Playstations inspire community action by creating a sense of ownership and collaboration. They become vibrant hubs for learning, bringing together teachers, students, and the community at large. By providing a conducive and stimulating environment, we contribute to the overall happiness and health of children.
To facilitate the implementation of play-based pedagogy, we offer a comprehensive Teacher Training Manual. This manual equips educators with the necessary knowledge and strategies to effectively utilize our playstations as tools for experiential learning.
Join us in empowering teachers, inspiring community engagement, and nurturing happy, healthy, and thriving children through Green Buddies Playstations.
Teacher Training Manual: Play based Pedagogy
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Creating green playstations in our towns and cities is a need for a sustainable future. The concept is a perfect match for the goal of green-blue urban design and reinforces all the desired effects: reduced heat stress, greater biodiversity, enhanced aesthetic quality and improved air quality and health
Learning Through Playgrounds
"Play is the highest form of research"
- Albert Einstein
"Play is the highest form of research "- Albert Einstein
Science is everywhere and children are inherently curious at a young age. They love new experiences and explore them with their senses. Outdoor Play provides the perfect setting for many STREAM learning opportunities. Whether it be learning through plantation in tyre planters or counting and noticing the design of every playscape on the playground. We have introduced scrap tyres as a simple and yet sustainable Recycling concept supporting play.This innovation may lead to ‘what if….’ questions and then coming up with their own innovative solutions to these questions. Children can then hypothesize about the outcomes of their imaginations and again discuss methods and results with the rest of the class.
Play Matters
Play Matters: Transforming Learning and Emotional Intelligence
Research confirms that play is crucial for children’s cognitive skills and emotional intelligence. It enhances problem-solving, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. Play develops social skills, empathy, resilience, and self-regulation. It fosters curiosity, imagination, and a love for learning. Through play, children become independent thinkers and effective collaborators, preparing them for the future.
Sit Back and Relax
Let Children Play - Learn - Explore
Let's Do This Together
Together, we can create a vibrant natural playing area that allows children to hide among trees, daydream in designed spaces, and learn from educational wall displays. By involving the community in funding and construction, we provide ample opportunities for children to connect with nature and foster their initiative. Let’s join forces and make this project a reality!
Calendar 2023
Greenbuddies 2023 Calendar
Play Based Learning