d n u o r g y a l P w e N A for Junior School By Joanne Barker, Head of Junior School While the world has been changing rapidly, so too have our Early Years and Junior School playgrounds. Outdoor play is a vital part of our program at Korowa, and it is widely recognised that play helps children understand the world around them and how to navigate opportunities. While physical benefits include development of gross motor skills and a healthy lifestyle, children also gain much socially and emotionally from the great outdoors. As children explore the world around them, they are letting their imaginations run wild and experimenting at a pace that suits them. They feel safe and in control as they make decisions about what to explore or who to play with next. Socially, they are expanding through sharing resources and ideas, and negotiating with their peers through conflicts. Children’s self-confidence flourishes as they explore, and they beam with pride as they share discoveries with their peers and educators. Our new sensory-rich playgrounds allow students of all ages and abilities to discover through tactile, auditory, sensory and visual experiences. Buddy activities, outdoor lessons and performances in the amphitheatre have also become part of their daily routines.
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Meika Georgiou, Alannah Argyropoulos and Esther Olszewski
