Independence – Building confidence through understanding and a more measured way of approaching surroundings effectively promotes independence and self-assuredness

CREATING SPACES FOR MINDFULNESS

Children often struggle to be fully present in the classroom and engage with others in situation-appropriate ways. Teaching mindfulness is a way to help kids understand how to act and process their thoughts and feelings in positive ways.

Creating a positive space for the expression of all of the stresses and excitements that kids feel without judgement, while also providing positive social and emotional stimuli, can help develop this sense of mindfulness in natural ways.

Emotional regulation difficulties can lead to academic struggles, short attention spans, and problems developing healthy relationships with peers. Therefore, integrating mindfulness of students’ emotions into everyday life on the playground is an important part of your school playground.

WHY IS SENSORY PLAYGROUND DESIGN IMPORTANT IN EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY EDUCATION?

The school playground should be a very freeing place for children. Therefore, it presents a great opportunity to provide stimuli that promote mindfulness and help kids experience learning through play. Holistic play theory is an important criterion for modern school playground design. This includes the continuous provision of imaginative and active play education that fosters a positive atmosphere of self-expression and mindfulness.

Imaginative play and curiosity are key to many expressions of independent play and group playground games. KS2 children often invent their own exploratory games and play pretend as a way to engage with their surroundings. Discovering new things about themselves and others through play develops a sense of freedom and independence in many ways unique to the school playground.

While this kind of imaginative play is an informal way to develop mindfulness through play. By encouraging immersive experiences with sensory equipment, playgrounds can formalize this type of play. To provide inclusive playground equipment provision, play design must consider different areas of sensory play.

Our new range of mindfulness play panels gives students the chance to breathe, relax and reflect on the playground. Deep breathing instructions are important to help children focus on their bodies and feelings. Children trace along the edge of each shape as per instructions. They inhale and exhale as they follow the flow, helping them focus, relax, and find their inner calm.

All elements of play and the equipment schools provide need to be designed to suit the ability and size of the EYFS children using it. This includes a consideration for the physical limitations of small children and any safety requirements, but also needs to accommodate their psychological and social development.

MINDFULNESS AND SENSORY PLAYGROUND IDEAS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Being mindful of others and their surroundings can come in many forms for children. This depends on students’ stage of development and age group. However, all provision of mindful play and experiences is based on a few core principles:

Movement
Imagination
Independence
Togetherness

Clambering on active play equipment can become a great setting for kids to invent imaginative games with their friends. And therefore partly responsible for developing ideas around their role within a shared setting of play. Active play on trim trail equipment or Daily Mile Tracks can promote healthy competition that is beneficial but often overlooked inside the classroom.

As well as team building activities and active play education, independence and collaboration through creativity can also promote mindfulness. Quiet play in the outdoors with arts & crafts play panel equipment or giant Ludo board games on playground markings with a few friends can help build empathy and understanding for students within themselves, and with others.

LOOKING TO PROMOTE MINDFULNESS IN YOUR NEXT PLAYGROUND PROJECT?

Providing well-being activities for primary school children on the school playground should be essential to any play area. Play is an increasingly utilised tool to promote healthy childhood development. Therefore, The School Playground Company has designed many of our products around holistic and continuous provision for this development and learning through play.

To get started on your journey with us, you can fill in our handy contact form, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at: 01455 412134.

BLOGS

PROMOTING MINDFULNESS THROUGH SENSORY PLAYGROUND DESIGN

The school playground is a great space to play and develop important skills and an understanding of the world. Fostering mindfulness with sensory playground design and continuous provision of free play is vital to help children develop a healthy respect for others and improve their self-regulation.

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

As mentioned above, mindfulness is a multi-faceted part of childhood development which sets up multiple areas of healthy childhood development.

Here are some of the prime areas in which mindfulness education and integration assist critical childhood development:

Self-awareness – Assessing your own feelings openly and honestly helps with internal problem recognition and developmental individualism. Ultimately, helping with confidence and encouraging self-expression and positive coping strategies.
Self-regulation – Self-reflection and awareness come together to allow children to act in more appropriate ways. This helps reduce impulsive and harmful behaviours.
Empathy – Through understanding themselves, children develop compassion for others to build stronger friendships and foster a happier school environment.
Attention – Reducing impulsivity and growing a mindful understanding of themselves and others. This can improve academic engagement and interest in learning in school starters.
Independence – Building confidence through understanding and a more measured way of approaching surroundings effectively promotes independence and self-assuredness

CREATING SPACES FOR MINDFULNESS

WHY IS SENSORY PLAYGROUND DESIGN IMPORTANT IN EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY EDUCATION?

MINDFULNESS AND SENSORY PLAYGROUND IDEAS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Movement
Imagination
Independence
Togetherness

LOOKING TO PROMOTE MINDFULNESS IN YOUR NEXT PLAYGROUND PROJECT?

To get started on your journey with us, you can fill in our handy contact form, email us at [email protected] or give us a call at: 01455 412134.