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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

Using a seesaw teaches cognitive abilities, social skills, and physical coordination. It helps children understand cause and effect, weight distribution, and spatial awareness. To use a seesaw effectively requires cooperation and teamwork, teaching children to work together and communicate effectively. These are valuable skills but seesaws can be dangerous if not properly managed. Here we present our tips to ensure seesaw safety. Rules to  ensure seesaw safety Children should: Only have one child at each end of the seesaw – if the weights don’t match for easy seesawing, do NOT add another child to balance the weights, rather find another child to play with Sit in the seat facing forwards and not leaning back Hold on tightly with both hands while on a seesaw Keep feet out to the sides and out from underneath the seesaw. Stand back from a seesaw when it's in use Children should be taught NOT to: Jump off the seesaw without warning the other child on the other end of the seesaw Touch the ground or push off with their hands Stand beneath a raised seesaw, stand and rock in the middle, or try to climb onto it while it's in motion.

The Stirling Primary Grade R children now have more space and more equipment to practice their climbing, pulling and balancing skills, and more to stimulate their imaginations.   In consultation with the Rustics design team, the Stirling staff chose to revamp the existing structures in their playground and added some new exciting elements - a balance bridge, a  platform, higher money bars, a fireman’s pole and a climbing wall.   Joe, the Teachers’ Assistant in charge of the project says, “It is always good exploring options and ideas with the Rustics team, they make you excited and they totally deliver. The Rustics Installation staff are reserved and work so hard, they really get the job done without a fuss. If ever we needed a little tweak or something wasn't quite right, they were happy to sort it without a hassle.”   “The kids love to explore and play on the equipment. There is something for every child to do and the design really encourages them to try new things and to never give up.”

Climbing equipment comes in many shapes and sizes — including climbing walls, arches, and vertical and horizontal ladders. These types of equipment are usually more challenging for children than other kinds of playground equipment so there need to be rules established, and play of younger children needs to be supervised, to ensure the safety of everyone climbing. The rules should not eliminate risk completely because risk-taking is an important skill to learn, but it does need to be in a controlled environment to reduce the seriousness of the risk. Read our previous article on how play teaches thoughtful risk taking Rules to allow children to climb freely and safely Children should: • use both hands when climbing • stay well behind the person in front of them to reduce the risk of accidental or deliberate pushing • look out for swinging feet • look before they jump down to make sure there is no one below (Remind them to land on both feet with their knees bent.) • wear suitable clothing – they need to avoid loose clothing, drawstrings that could easily get caught in the equipment and prevent their free movement, and accessories like necklaces or binoculars which could present a strangulation risk Children should be taught NOT to: • push, shove or try very risky stunts • climb during rainy or very windy conditions to avoid slipping

In this article we explore how the six stages of play, identified by sociologist Mildred Parten nearly 100 years ago, can be used as a guide in playground design. At Rustics, we are able to guide you in your playground equipment choices to optimise the cognitive, physical and social development opportunities of outdoor play at the later stages of play. Unoccupied Play (0-3 months) During this stage, children randomly move their arms, legs or head. They are simply exploring their environment and learning about their relationship with their body and surroundings. How to encourage unoccupied play Lay infants on a blanket in a stimulating environment, such as near a window or in a room with colourful objects. Offer sensory toys, like rattles or soft toys, that they can grasp or watch, encouraging them to observe and experiment with their movements. Solitary Play (3 months - 2 years) Solitary play is when a child plays alone, focusing on their activities without seeking interaction with others. This stage is great for fostering independence, creativity and concentration. How to encourage solitary play To nurture solitary play, create a play environment that is full of toys and materials. Offer activities that match the child’s interests, such as puzzles, art supplies or building blocks. Onlooker play (2 - 3½ years) Onlooker play occurs when a child observes others playing without directly participating. This is the first step in learning to play with others as it helps them learn about social interactions, rules and the dynamics of socialising. How to encourage onlooker play To encourage onlooker play, allow children to watch older siblings or peers as they play. At Rustics Jungle Gyms we create areas where children can sit quietly and observe others as they play: Drum Climber, Swings, & Platforms Parallel Play (2½ - 4 years) Parallel play occurs when children play alongside each other but do not interact directly. Each child is engaged in their individual activity, often with similar toys or materials, but without collaborating or sharing. Parallel play aids in early socialising skills, as it introduces children to the concept of playing in the presence of others. How to encourage parallel play To foster parallel play, provide children with the same or similar toys and place them near each other in a shared space. Gradually, they may begin to mimic or show interest in each other’s activities, paving the way for more interactive play. Rustics side-by-side playground features like spring rockers, swings and double wavy slide race can give children the opportunity to engage in parallel play. Associative Play (3 - 4½ years) Associative play is when children play together, but have different ideas and goals. For example, talking to each other and playing with the same toys, but doing different things. This stage helps develop communication skills, cooperation, and an understanding of social norms. How to encourage associative play To promote associative play, offer activities that lend themselves to group interaction, such as climbing, playing on the same equipment, or engaging in simple pretend play scenarios. Rustics climbing frames, slides, balance beams and cargo nets give children an opportunity for Associative play Cooperative Play (4½ years and up) Cooperative play is when children start working together towards a common goal or playing a shared game. During cooperative play, children create rules, assign roles, and collaborate to achieve an outcome, such as acting out a story. This helps your child to develop social skills. How to encourage cooperative play To support cooperative play, introduce activities that require teamwork, such as engaging in elaborate pretend play scenarios where children must work together to achieve a goal. Rustics Fairy Castle, Pirate Ship and Train provide the perfect environments for Cooperative play Rustics Jungle Gyms has a range of equipment to help communities and schools to develop the perfect playground for children at the each stage of childhood play development

Add a climbing wall to your playground and improve your children’s physical, planning and emotional skills Climbing walls are designed with a variety of grips and holds to challenge youngsters to develop their strength, balance and coordination. Identifying a route and climbing up, or across, a climbing wall encourages problem-solving and critical thinking, developing their mental acuity as well as their physical skills. Climbing walls are more than just exciting play elements; they inspire confidence and perseverance as children conquer personal goals, building self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. A climbing wall also encourages social interaction as children share route ideas and shout encouragement to each climber while waiting for their turn. These climbing structures provide a holistic and engaging play experience that contributes to children's overall growth and well-being.

We continue our safety series on some of the dangers to look out for in a playground – in part 1 we discussed swing safety . This month, we focus on slide safety. Slides are safe if they are used correctly. Here are some guidelines to keep your children safe: When climbing the ladder to the top of the slide, children should take one step at a time and hold onto the handrail. Do not allow children to climb up the sliding board itself to get to the top. Allow only one child to be at the top of the slide at a time Kids should always check that the bottom of the slide is clear before sliding down. Always slide down feet-first and sitting up, never headfirst or on their back or stomach. Do not allow children to slide down in groups. When children reach the bottom, they should get off and move away from the end of the slide as quickly as possible so it's clear for other children to slide down. Look out for the next in the SAFETY SERIES: Climbing Safety