Phase 1 – Playground

Why a Playground

Having moved back to Pakistan, Mr. Niazi was taken aback with the size of the basti, its terrible conditions for the children, especially when they were outside their homes, and where they played. The area where these children play is not safe, clean and worst of all, its full of deseases as well as harmful and other hazardous materials.

Therefore, after consultations with various parties and government as well as educational bodies, the conclusion of which has been, to create a safe, educational, social and fun environment for children to play, as well as giving the children’s mothers a safe place to congregate and create a sense of community spirit.

Upon conducting research with children services in the United Kingdom, and those of Pakistan, the finds are that if a play area was to be created, then the activities within the area should include facilities which encourage children to not only participate in games but also for the children to understand the need to work together, play together and trust one another.

Therefore, the following games/facilities shall be build to help the children understand and learn together the art of collaboration, unity, trust and most of all, understanding and respecting one another.

Slide

Sliding contributes to vestibular stimulation, which simply means that it stimulates the ear canal and the fluids in it. This stimulation helps develop a sense of balance. children learn to keep their torsos balanced as gravity pulls them down the slide. Children learn the art of being patient and allowing others to join the “que” to climb the ladder, so that they can slide from the top of the slide down the bottom.

Furthermore, if more than one child is at the top of the slide, it ensures the others are vigilant and watchful of those around them, thus stopping other children from “going up the slide” the wrong way.

Slides, aid children to be more social and interact with each other whilst they wait their turn and also affords children the ability have more fun in a group than can be had playing alone or playing in hazardous conditions.

Swing

Swinging allows children to develop coordinated movements. They practice those movements as they propel themselves on the swings. We have all watched as young children struggle with the difficult task of coordinating all the different motions needed to make a swing move. No amount of verbal explanation “teaches” children how to swing. It is the repetitive process of “feeling what works” that gets children swinging.

If you want to try to help a child learn to swing, you can stand in front of the swing after the child is in motion and encourage him to touch your hand with his feet. As he stretches out to touch your hand, he begins to experience the sensation of the “pump” part of the swing motion.

Mary-go-round/Carousel

Just like a slide and swings, the popular merry-go-round promotes balance, stamina as well as strengthening a child’s muscles. The children are able to work together and look after one-another when playing on this apparatus, thus allowing children to have fun together, the more the better.

In conclusion

Climbing gives children opportunities to develop a variety of skills and to exercise various systems of their bodies: Reaching for rungs above the shoulder raises the arms, thereby increasing the cardiovascular flow.

• Stretching increases and maintains flexibility.
• Pulling up with hands and arms while climbing a ladder or a climbing wall builds upper body, grip, and arm strength.
• Climbing steps and ladders develops leg strength and coordination.