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In a previous article  we highlighted the importance of play-based learning. This month we offer links to resources to help you as a parent or teacher to unlock the power of PLAY to teach the children in your care: https://playsa.org/  - offers free PLAY courses, which offer theory and practical instruction, based on age groups: Birth - 2 years: Learn how to help babies and toddlers reach their developmental milestones. 2 - 5 years: Lay the children’s foundations for language, communication and maths. Grade R: Lay the foundations for skills children will use throughout the rest of their schooling career. Grade 1 – 3: Includes play activities and links them to CAPS. Let us know if these course were useful!

Active parents and teachers serve as role models, promoting physical activity and a healthier lifestyle to their children. Take your lessons outside and not only will you be setting a good example and reaping the benefits of physical activity for yourself, you will also be improving the children's academic performance; the proven benefit of linking academic learning to physical activity.  There are no excuses for not taking learning outside! Make your lessons physical! There is a growing body of evidence that proves that Physically Active Learning (PAL), which integrates movement with the delivery of academic content, can improve a child’s retention of knowledge and memory and, as a result, enhance their academic performance. Check out this 12 minute YouTube video from Bryn Mawr School and read this article to find out more about the results of PAL There are other resources to get you started with incorporating PAL lessons into your school day at this link https://www.yhlearning.co.uk/courses/physically-active-learning Take it outside! Take your Physically Active Learning lessons outside, and you can reap the additional benefits of spending time in sunshine, for everyone: Improved sleep and reduced stress Strengthened immune system Fight off depression Strengthened bones Live longer? Read more here

The value of PLAY As parents and teachers, we all want our children to succeed and the desire for them to do well, to get qualifications and ultimately secure a great job, puts us, and our children, under pressure. This has translated into a focus on academic performance with extra home work and extra lessons all becoming the norm. But are we missing something? "Play is the vehicle through which children absorb knowledge organically, effortlessly blending cognitive, physical, emotional and social development." https://storiesofplay.com/the-power-of-play-redefining-learning-for-our-children/ Should we be filling all of our children’s time with organised activities? The answer is NO! Play is essential to the development of creativity, critical thinking and a love for learning which will fuel a child’s curiosity and foster a thirst for knowledge that will naturally propel them forward. More than “Just" play Play is not just frivolous, aimless fun. By giving our children the time and space to play, we are giving them the opportunity to grow into curious, resilient, and self-motivated individuals with a genuine love for learning. We are equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. As parents and teachers, we need to change our mindset and embrace the idea that learning is not confined to textbooks and structured lessons and that play is an essential foundation upon which a child can grow and succeed. Read our previous articles on play and childhood development Get a Rustics jungle gym to make outside play challenging, stimulating and FUN!

University of Fort Hare installs Rustics playground as part of their multi-million Rand new Early Childhood Care and Education Department facility in East London.   This state-of-the-art building and playground will be used for training, teaching, and research of early childhood development. The three-storey building is fitted with early childhood learning spaces, student training and teaching rooms, rehabilitation and therapy rooms and incorporates admin and support areas.   The playground is central to the entire structure and is built to inspire academic staff, education students and the children who attend the ECD centre.   Liaising with the contractor, Transtruct, and the University, Rustics was able to meet the tight deadlines to get the playground installed in time for the grand launch of the facility on 7 August. "We had the pleasure of working with Rustic Jungle Gyms for the installation of children’s playground equipment at UFH Early Childhood Development Centre, and the experience was outstanding. From start to finish, their team demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and a genuine passion for creating safe, engaging play spaces. The installation process was seamless. The team paid close attention to safety standards, quality of workmanship, and the overall design, ensuring that every piece of equipment was both fun and secure for children of all ages. Communication was clear and proactive, and deadlines were consistently met without compromising quality. Thanks to Rustic Jungle Gyms, we now have a playground that children will love and parents will trust. Their dedication to safety, creativity, and excellence makes them a top choice for anyone looking to create memorable and safe play experiences." Mandlenkosi Moss Construction Manager Transtruct

The East London Montessori school recently called in the Rustics team to do a facelift on its 10 year old Tarantula Play System. Principal, Coral Yelseth says, "The children use the tarantula all the time, every break and aftercare, and it has survived hard PLAY for over 10 years. We decided it was time to call in the Rustics team, to give the Tarantula a bit of a refurbishment. Our children couldn't wait to get back on it."   "I would recommend The Tarantula Play System to other schools as it gives a good range of physical activities for the children.    "Toni and team were amazing. The service was excellent and prompt. They take pride in their work and want their masterpiece to remain in pristine condition."

The Rustics Jungle Gyms team recently completed the installation of a Valley Unit in the Selborne Primary School Intermediate Phase playground.   Mrs. Calver, Deputy Principal of the Foundation Phase says, "Working with Toni and the Rustics team has been an absolute pleasure. From the very first inspection, they were thorough, professional and honest, offering valuable feedback that helped us create both a realistic budget and a long-term plan. "Their willingness to adjust their timeline to accommodate our school holidays was a huge help and the installation process ran smoothly from start to finish. "The boys’ excitement and the staff’s positive response on the first day back was priceless — a truly wonderful way to start Term 3.   We are grateful for such a professional, collaborative and satisfying experience with the Rustics Jungle Gym Team." If you want the same FUN for your children, contact us with your specifications and we will design the perfect playground!

We are thrilled to have brought PLAY to the children of Upper Primary school at Ceru Location in Ndabakazi. The children are thrilled and the staff are very happy with the quality of the jungle gym. We wish them many happy years' of play!

What are the benefits of imaginative play? It fosters creativity  by providing a safe space for children to act out scenarios of their choosing, including situations that they may not be able to experience in real life. For example, a 5-year-old who cannot travel, can create a pretend pirate ship and sail to exciting places in their imagination. Sharing these games with friends helps them to practice and develop their language and social skills  and to develop problem-solving and self-regulation  skills. Imaginative play with peers can create situations in which not everyone gets what they want. For example, when more than one child wants to be the ship’s Captain, there will be a process of negotiation and the child who does not get what they want will have to learn how to manage unpleasant emotions for play to continue. The benefits of Imaginative play are that it creates opportunities for trying out new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem solving in a safe environment. Tips to encourage imaginative play Provide plenty of props: Dress up clothes and props People to play with – peers and adults Space to play Give plenty of playtime Let your child have as much time as possible to explore where their imagination takes them. Combine imaginative play with healthy, physical outdoor play - Install a jungle gym! Choose a play system with many entry and exit points and that does not prescribe a route across it. Include poles, ramps, ropes, swings, bridges, platforms, towers and swings as props for the imagination. OR Choose a themed Play system to get their imaginations started

Lots is written about how inactive teenagers are and the implications of this sedentary lifestyle. But is it really surprising? Outside of formalised sport or passive entertainment such as computer games, where are the spaces in which they can engage in active play? Often playgrounds are off-limits to teenagers because they tend to travel in groups and can disrupt the play of smaller children. Teenagers need active play too! We know that physical activity in teenagers augments and sustains brain development, curbs aggressive behaviour, and improves academic results. Repetitive, aerobic activity tends to lay down new architecture toward the frontal lobes of the brain. More dynamic activity increases connections in areas like the cerebellum, responsible for coordination. Play helps to develop divergent thinking skills, strengthens relationships, and improves emotional regulation. Moving in different ways is necessary for developing the whole brain How do we create active play spaces for teenagers? Why the Tarantula? It is manufactured from 101mm mild steel tubing and is one of the strongest and most durable play systems currently available. Made from 4 arches, over 2.7m high it includes: twisted monkey bars straight monkey bars 7 hanging tyres A glass fibre slide An “S” rung ladder Two fireman's poles A spider's web Three hanging knotted ropes The Rustics Jungle Gyms tarantula Play System: encourages free flow from many access points – it has no one route across, so play is free from structure can be used for obstacle type races can be used for circuit training ( see our previous newsletter on this topic ) Consider installing a Tarantula Play System at your high school or community to create opportunities for physical development and play for your adolescents.

In this final part of our five part series on playground safety we focus on General Playground Safety. Trip Hazards: Bicycles and helmets, lunch boxes, drink bottles and rubbish can all be quickly abandoned in dangerous places in the excitement of arriving at the playground. Make sure that there is lots of clear space around equipment for children to run from one activity to another and leave enough space for children to land in when jumping down from equipment. Environmental factors: Avoid using playground equipment that's wet because it may be slippery Check playground equipment for overheating. Contact burns can happen within seconds. Wear sunscreen when playing outside even on cloudy days to protect against sunburn. General playground safety tips Teach children to: Wear clothing which cannot get caught on the equipment and accidentally strangle a child e.g. drawstrings, necklaces etc. Avoid pushing or roughhousing on playground equipment Use equipment properly (see previous newsletters for equipment specific tips) Check for other children before jumping off equipment Land on both feet with knees slightly bent.

Thank you to Mangisi Mshika Trading for supporting Rustics Jungle Gyms. Over the past ten months, they have ordered and we have installed 17 of our basic units with swings at Early Childhood Development Centres in the Peddie and Mount Fletcher areas, with a further 2 units to be installed in Elliot/Maclear next month. Hector Ngomane, Director of Mangisi Mshika Trading, says, “The ECDC staff and children are loving these jungle gyms. The smiles on the children’s faces say it all!” he goes on to say that Rustics staff, “always keep a promise” The Basic and Two Swings is an ideal unit for ECDC spaces. It can accommodate a lot of children because it offers a variety of different types of equipment to keep the children challenged and entertained. It includes: • A raised platform (1.4m x 1.4m), with a 95% UV protected shade cloth roof • Wooden railings around the platform, where possible, for additional safety • A glass fibre slide • A rung ladder at an angle • A cargo net • Two tyre swings

A Rustics water slide will turn your pool into a waterpark! What could be more fun than a waterpark in your own back garden? Rustics has a new supertube water slide that is guaranteed to make your next garden party the best fun. The slide comes in 2m straight and a curved sections which can be combined to fit your specific environment. Supertubes are smooth, available in multiple colours and built to last. Contact Toni to find out how Rustics Jungle Gyms can bring this family FUN to you! Tel: +27 (0)83 538 5684 Email: Toni@rustics.co.za