Learning About Learning Environments: The Playground

A major aspect of our Kindertown curriculum, and really, every kids’ childhood, is the outdoor playground. Over the last thirty years, our outdoor space has grown, evolved, and adapted to changing policies, new approaches and needs of the child.  At one time, our Kindertown playground was home to a small skipping pond, large climber and vegetable garden. Today, we now have a variety of spaces for children to explore – and its continually changing. 

Our toddler’s playground offers children the opportunity to test their physical capabilities as they walk past balance beams, tunnels, whacky posts, and outdoor mirrors. Toddlers also have a chance to express their creative side with chalkboards and see-through plexiglass panels placed throughout their outdoor space. To enhance and diversify these learning experiences, our educators are always thinking of new ways to engage children while outside – whether this means bringing out sensory activities, creating an impromptu mud kitchen or simply challenging kids to jump a little higher or run a little faster. 

In our preschool playground, children have the chance to expand their learning opportunities and experiences. Chalkboards, plexiglass painting boards, and musical instruments allow children to explore their creative side while our three outdoor classrooms offer a space to explore native plants and species, build towers or enjoy a light snack on the picnic tables. The preschool playground also offers a large four quadrant sandbox and mud kitchen that inspire children to build, cook, dig, and pour - sometimes in both places at once. At the centre of our playground, a large sideways tree encourages kids to engage in risky play – climbing to new heights and pushing their limits. All of these spaces are connected to a wandering walking path that allows children to bike, run, walk or crawl across our entire outdoor space. 

When outdoors, children have the opportunities to choose their learning – to engage in their own play – and to create their own adventure.