Preparing Integrated Play Provocation and Learning Area

Running head: PREPARING INTEGRATED PLAY PROVOCATION AND LEARNING AREA
PREPARING INTEGRATED PLAY PROVOCATION AND LEARNING AREA
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1PREPARING INTEGRATED PLAY PROVOCATION AND LEARNING AREA
Playing is a vital part of children’s life, as they learn to experience the world around them
and learn new things through it. Children use a variety of techniques of play, which results in
them mastering important skills necessary for life. Children generally find playing outside more
enjoyable but as days go by and development of the urban landscape increases and spreads, such
opportunities are becoming less and less available. However, it is necessary that outside play
time is availed. Therefore, parents, teachers, and trainers are all looking for safe and encouraging
spaces in proximity of the homes and schools of children, which are intellectually enhancing as
well (Verbaten, 2013).
Most play spaces available to children in the present time focus on active and more
physically engaging type of playing. An ideal playground should incorporate multiple types of
play that promotes growth in children in both physical and psychological aspects. A good play
space should incorporate at least the following types of play in it. These are, namely, active play-
running, climbing, jumping, and all other forms of physically active movements; sensory play-
touching different texture, hearing sounds and other activities which primarily involves the
sensory organs; creative and imaginative play- drawing, crafting, and other activities which
motivates creative and psychological growth in children; social and reflective play- talking,
watching, thinking, and other activities promoting emotional and social skill growth in children
(Moreno, 2019).
STEM education, that is, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is becoming
increasingly important in education as technology is advancing every day and pervading every
aspect of human life. Therefore, incorporating STEM early into a child’s life is seen to be
fruitful, through the concept of designing outdoor learning environments. This is a fun and
approachable way of exposing children to STEM ("STEM skills help build playgrounds for

2PREPARING INTEGRATED PLAY PROVOCATION AND LEARNING AREA
children in Kenya", 2017). Following the basic principles of building an ideal outdoor play area
and the motivation to incorporate STEM attributes, the following design has been created.
The basic philosophical considerations that should be made when building a play area are
value of integration, safety, and accessibility (Malkusak, 2018). Keeping these in mind, the
design of the play area would include:
1. An enclosed space which is used for block play.
2. An enclosed sand pit.
3. Abacus rails incorporated into arbors and play panels.
4. Art aisles and painting stations.
5. A small puppet stand/stage.
6. A general area with swings, slides and see-saws.
7. A small gardening patch
8. A small enclosed water body consisting of fish
Each of these sections is demarcated into zones for different kinds of play. The corner
that is designed according to its functionality. The area designated for creative play is
brightly coloured with pictures and markings of musical instruments, stationeries and other
objects. The area meant for active play is decorated with pictures of sports items.
(Czalczynska-Podolska, 2014)
The rationale behind using each of the features mentioned above are (Brown, 2014) -
1. This is the most important part of the play area if the areas of development are being
considered. The enclosed area for meant for block play would ensure safety for very
young children. Block play has a number of benefits as well. Children learn the basic