Lyceum Preschool principal Sarah DeSilva is on a mission to convert a derelict area behind the school into an earth-friendly natural playing ground. Last week she brought together an experienced team to focus their time and energy on the project.

She said: “Research continues to show the adverse effects of children’s disconnection from nature and the positive gains possible when daily nature connects are supported. We at Lyceum, which is school to 34 preschoolers, understand the benefits children gain from daily access to natural outdoor environments. We are committed to designing, building, and ensuring the space is well equipped for open-ended unstructured play. This outdoor space isn’t a luxury, it is a necessity to insure our students get the most of their preschool year. We understand the importance of bringing nature into the lives of our children and helping them to become independent learners.”

The following people were in attendance at the Think Tank meeting last week: Christopher Johnson (Kaleidoscope), Abbie Caldas (Greenrock/Eco-schools), Jennifer Flood (BEST education officer), Dr Dena Phipps (MOED officer), Dr Durham-Thompson (Arts officer for MOED), Mike Charles (BUT and Community Garden group), Dr Faries (Executive Director of Reading Clinic), Kevin Horsfield (Horsfield Landscaping — playground designer), Kevin Lanthier and Allen Brown (Clear Water Systems), Cleun Gaiton (Facilities Manager for MOED), Dr Sharon Speir (Director of Early childhood for MOED), Sarah DeSilva (Lyceum School Administrator), Susan Robinson, Dawnamae Bremar, Carol Trott, Patreece Simons (Teachers).

Lyceum Preschool needs your help to fulfil their vision. Sarah DeSilva has put together a wish list and asks our readers to call her on 293-2365 to get involved. If you have any of the following items, please call Sarah to arrange drop off and/or pick up of any of the items: Stumps/logs, bales of hay, sanded boards, wood scraps, watering cans, bird baths and boxes, wind chimes, bamboo, milk crates, outdoor storage, sand, PVC piping, pots and pans, plants, dirt, buckets, flower pots, gardening tools, child-size shovels, tyres.

Natural playground

A natural playground is a small piece of nature containing a variety of different mini-environments. It usually contains trees or plant materials, such as shrubs, tree stumps and logs. There may be open, grassy areas as well as areas shaded by trees, with spaces appropriate for active play, creative play or quiet time. A natural playground frequently contains a sandy area beside a water features, and perhaps a rocky area as well. A successful natural play area contains lots of movable objects that children can manipulate and use for construction projects. Examples of natural movable objects include sand, water, twigs, logs, pebbles, rocks and fallen leaves. Prefabricated items like buckets, spades, bits of plastic piping, string and fabric may also be provided for children to used in their creative work. The idea is to provide the necessary tools for the children to create objects formed in their imagination, providing them with interesting and entertaining challenges.

The playground may contain wooden objects such as a tree house, a bridge, seats and tables.

Research has found the following benefits of natural playgrounds:

Children with views of and contact with nature score higher on tests of concentration and self-discipline.

Play within a natural environment is more creative and imaginative which fosters language development.

Exposure to nature improves children’s cognitive development by improving awareness, reasoning and observation skills.

Play in outdoor environments are important to children’s development of independence and autonomy.

Natural environments stimulate social interaction between children.