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While play is crucial for a child’s development, it is also beneficial for people of all ages. Play can add joy to life, relieve stress, supercharge learning, and build healthy relationships. Play can also make work more productive and pleasurable – think modern IT companies. As well as aiding your child’s development, play can also bring you closer together and strengthen the adult-child bond that will last a lifetime. How to play with children • Establish regular play times. This way it will not be easily overlooked and will become a healthy habit • Give your child your undivided attention. Turn off the TV and your cell phone and make time to play with your child without distraction. Having your undivided attention makes a child feel special. • Get down to the child’s level. That may mean getting down on your knees or sitting on the floor. Match your child’s intensity during play—if the child is loud and energetic, be loud and energetic, too. • Embrace repetition. Children learn through repetition. Be prepared to play the same game over and over. The child will move on when he or she is ready. • Let children take the lead. Become part of their game rather than trying to dictate the play. Let the children call the shots, make the rules, and determine the pace of play. Ask questions and follow along—you’ll likely get drawn into imaginative new worlds that are fun for you, too. • Don’t force play or try to prolong a game. The best way to teach a new skill is to show children how something works, then step back and give them a chance to try it. When the child grows tired of an activity, it’s time to move on to something new. • Make play age-appropriate. If a game is too hard or too easy, it loses its sense of pleasure and fun. Help your child find age-appropriate activities and understand any safety rules for play. Playing with children is not only excellent for their development, but it will also benefit you - it will tighten the bond between you and boost your energy and vitality – all helping you both to function at your best.

Jungle Gyms consist of heights, angled slides, swings and balance beams all of which offer opportunities to teach science concepts in a more fun and engaging way - taking science outside. Gravity Activity: Drop different objects from the top and from half way up the jungle gym (e.g., a feather, a ball, a rock a balloon, a crayon, a pom pom, a crumpled piece of paper, and a golf ball.) Explain why they all fall and why some fall faster than others Discussion: Talk about how gravity pulls objects down and how height affects the speed of descent. You can also discuss the concept of weight. Balance and Center of Mass Activity: Ask children to walk on a balance beam while carrying a lightweight object (like a balloon) and discuss what they had to do to stay balanced. Discussion: Explain the concept of the center of mass and how it varies based on body position and the distribution of weight. Measurement and Angles Activity: Use a measuring tape to measure the height of the jungle gym or the distance between different pieces of equipment. Discussion: Introduce concepts of area and volume by discussing the space occupied by different structures. Explore angles using the slides and climbing walls. Temperature and Environment Activity: Use a thermometer to measure temperature in the shade vs. direct sunlight. Discussion: Talk about the impact of sunlight and shade on temperature By integrating these science concepts into active play, you can create a dynamic learning environment that fosters curiosity and exploration!

We LOVE our ship! Johanna Beukman, Head of Pre-Primary, Lilyfontein School Lilyfontein School Pre-Primary was looking to replace their existing train-inspired climbing apparatus with equipment which would also inspire fantasy play, while offering a safe space to encourage risky play. Johanna says, “We wanted a structure that would develop gross motor abilities, coordination and balance while at the same time allowing the staff see through it so we can monitor the children while they explore. The Rustics Jungle Gyms ship was the perfect solution. “The advice from the Rustics team was spot on and their planning and installation were conducted in a timeous and professional manner.” “ We feel that we got a high quality product and value for our money.” “Our children cannot wait for outside playtime - we even made some play-time changes to give them more time to ‘cruise’!” “We cannot wait to do business with you again.”

The sloping terrain of our latest garden installation was no challenge for our design or installation teams. Our new Hillside unit was the obvious choice! But what to build to complement it? The design team incorporated the slope by installing an angle balance beam and monkey bars on the high side of the main tower and a cargo net on the lower side. A toddler swing, tyre swing and a slide completed the design. Pieter, who wanted an exciting play area to encourage his two boys to spend time outside and get the associated physical and metal benefits, says, “We knew what we wanted to achieve but relied on Toni and her team to design a custom solution to help us achieve it. ‘The children love it! We look forward to them enjoying the playground for years to come!" "I would recommend Rustics Jungle Gyms; they listen to what you want and make it happen. Their service is efficient and professional."

Everyone understands that children need to be physically active to build fit and strong bodies. And in previous newsletters , we have highlighted the facts that active play also leads to academic success and the development of essential life skills such as decision-making and self-confidence. BUT the fact is that children's daily activities are becoming more sedentary and less physical, and as a result, more of them are suffering from obesity and a variety of illnesses associated with poor overall health. According to the World Health Organisation guidelines , one key to solving these health issues is for children to participate in at least one hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day. But how do we get our children interested in physical activity? Not everyone has an interest or aptitude for organised sport and many children just don’t like being told what to do. Could Free Play be the answer? The right kind of free play can entice children to choose to participate in activities that are inherently filled with beneficial physical activity. If a child feels like they are just having fun, and not following directions, they are more likely to be active for longer durations and for repeated periods. Bring out the FUN! The answer is to offer a non-prescriptive jungle gym which gives children a variety of sensations and a space to exercise their imaginations and their bodies, while having FUN. A well-designed jungle gym will incorporate elements that contribute to the development of coordination, flexibility, dexterity, balance, upper & lower body strength, core body strength, and cardiovascular health. In addition, it will offer children a plethora of play paths and sensory experiences to ensure they never get tired of playing – every trip to the jungle gym should provide a new adventure. A well-designed jungle gym will have children making their own decision to leave ‘screens’ behind to go outside to play. Not only will children’s bodies benefit from free play – their minds benefit too – see our previous articles on how a well-designed jungle gym can develop risk-management, decision-making and leadership skills Contact us if you want a jungle gym to get your children away from their screens and outside!

Financially, everyone seems to be feeling the squeeze. If you are wanting to purchase playground equipment but are finding it hard to get your hands on the budget, we have put together a few fund-raising ideas for you to consider. ONE Ask your local golf course if you can host a golf day. This will require you to find prizes, but local businesses are usually keen to sponsor prizes for golfers. The golf course will promote your event to their members – especially if you offer awesome prizes, and you can encourage your prize sponsors to sign up for a 4-ball to fill up the field. TWO Find a friendly restaurant owner who buys into your cause and ask them to donate all profits from an evening, or from the first 200 meals sold. You could even offer to do the waiting on tables to collect extra in tips. Maybe you can find a local company who will match what you raise. THREE Another creative idea is to make a customised Monopoly game and sell the property spaces, and even the play money, to sponsors to fund the production of the game. All proceeds from the sale of the game would go to the Jungle Gym fund. FOUR Ask the local garden club to host a tour of their gardens and sell tour tickets. You could even set up a stall selling seedlings and tea/cakes at each garden. FIVE Ask the community benefitting from the jungle gym installation, for their ideas – you may be surprised by their creativity!

Following on from the successful installation of a Tarantula and a custom-designed double tower wooden unit in their Foundation Phase playground, St Joseph's Preparatory has added a Rustics Fairy Tower, an obstacle course, and another custom designed unit - The Hillside! Our initial goal was to create something unique and impressive that would provide our learners with more places to play. Toni and the team at Rustics Jungle Gyms were amazing. Whenever I had questions or needed guidance, Toni was there to help. The learners and staff are thrilled with the new additions, and we can't wait to expand our playground further. I highly recommend using Rustics. Natascha Tessendorf Foundation Phase Head

Winter fresh air is good for everyone! Myth - being in the outdoor cold will give you flu! Outdoor winter play has long been blamed for colds and the flu. Our parents told us to “bundle up or you’ll catch a cold,” and their parents probably told them the same thing. But winter play gets a bad rap. Viruses that are spread by other human beings and cause colds and the flu are usually worse indoors. The indoor circulation of germs and bacteria is much more harmful to children than playing outside. In fresh, outdoor air, children do not have to rebreathe the germs of the group, and the chance for spreading infection is reduced. We still need exercise in winter! Just because its cold outside, doesn’t mean that children need less exercise. Children still grow during the winter months, and prolonged sessions of inactivity are not good for their muscular development. Physical activity gives your immune system a power surge for a full 24 hours. A stronger immune system leads to less illness and less use of antibiotics. A win for everybody!

Does your club have a vibrant family membership or want to attract new members? A Rustics Jungle gym could be just what you are looking for. Give the parents and grandparents a break while the children play in a safe and exciting environment. Rustics Jungle Gyms has been successfully installing steel and wooden playground equipment country-wide since 2005! Rustics Jungle Gyms has just the right play equipment for your Club! Here are some ideas but visit our website for many more options We look forward to being of service

Children LOVE swinging, but why? With each rhythmic swoop and sway, children feel the wind in their hair, a sense of freedom, and the sheer thrill of defying gravity. But swinging is not only GREAT FUN it also stimulates different parts of a child’s brain simultaneously, bringing huge developmental benefits. Benefits of swinging Swinging strengthens your child’s core and helps with the development of the sense of balance. The rocking motion of swinging stimulates the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that helps you focus. Swinging offers help with sensory input and integration, which is how your brain organises and interprets information. Sensory Integration provides a foundation for later, more complex learning and behaviour. Swinging is calming! The swinging motion calms a child’s nervous system Swinging encourages social interaction and development of social skills. The movement of swinging helps develop perceptual skills. Swinging increases spatial awareness. Swinging helps develop gross motor skills – pumping legs, running, jumping, etc. Swinging helps develop fine motor skills – grip strength, hand, arm, and finger coordination. Twisting and untwisting on the swing has additional benefits! According to research, the spinning motion stimulates different parts of a child’s brain simultaneously, which promotes the development of interconnected pathways in the brain. These connections are important for the brain’s ability to learn skills such as spatial awareness, rhythm, balance, muscle control, etc. GIVE YOUR CHILD TIME TO SWING Swinging helps the brain develop skills such as spatial awareness, balance, rhythm, and muscle control. Even a quiet moment on a swing can help a child regulate their sensory system and help them develop the ability to adapt to different sensations. Rustics Jungle Gyms has just the right play equipment to get your children swinging into a healthy future!

Check out this video of the Westering Primary School children having an absolute blast on their new playground equipment. "The children love their new playground and don’t want to miss a break - even when it is raining they want to go outside to play." Collette van Rensburg Foundation Phase Deputy Principal

Rustics Jungle Gyms is always on the lookout for the strongest and safest play ground equipment to build into its Jungle Gyms. Here is our latest find - a locally made, fibreglass toddler swing. With its built-in UV resistance this swing will last far longer than a plastic swing! Contact Rustics +27 83 538 5684 to order your toddler swing TODAY!