Play with purpose. A plan for reimagining the playgrounds at Winchester Thurston
Play with purpose: learn “Active engagement in a challenging and inspiring learning environment.” Well-designed outdoor spaces bring learning to life, and facilitate children’s healthy physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development.
Play with purpose: engage As they learn and play together, children practice skills that will help them blossom as collaborative, empathetic, independent thinkers and engaged citizens: n cooperating n expressing n sharing n negotiating n decision-making n problem-solving
Play with purpose: imagine Soaring south for the winter. Creating a symphony. Organizing a soccer game. When children are engaged in play, they’re developing critical life skills, from creative thinking to navigating emotions, both their own and those of others. From inspiring play spaces come imaginary worlds, elaborate stories, and a lifetime of cooperation.
Play with purpose: activate Developmentally appropriate play equipment and open spaces build motor skills, foster strong cognitive capabilities, and promote healthy, active lifestyles: n hanging from the climber n kicking a soccer ball n pedaling the trike track
Play with purpose: cultivate WT’s rigorous inquiry-based curriculum fosters independent thinking and connects children with their environment. By caring for the spaces around them, including working with plants and the earth, children experience connections to the larger world and the importance of green space in an urban environment.
Bayard Street Playground and outdoor classroom space
ellsworth avenue Playground and outdoor classroom space
Art banners at the corner of Morewood Avenue and Bayard Street celebrate WT’s engaging, dynamic environment
New gross motor play equipment— climbing structures, trike track, hop-scotch, and foursquare
The Gathering Spot, a tree-shaded area for outdoor classroom activities
Learning Gardens that children can maintain on their own
Action Court for team-based, pick-up ball games
Green-Roof Playhouse for imaginary play and environmental learning
Flexible open space for outdoor classroom activities or gross motor play
New play surfaces
Shade trees
“Spending a significant amount of time outdoors provides children with time and space to observe and wonder, authentic opportunities to collaborate with their peers, much needed exercise, an ability to focus, and an increase in overall well-being. All of this can lead to healthier children, an increase in academic achievement, and caring, knowledgeable, and responsible future stewards of our earth, which are my ultimate goals as a teacher. “
—Caitlin Evans, WT Kindergarten Teacher