PLAY WITH FIRE
An Ormeau childcare centre has installed a fire pit, in a Queensland first, to teach children like Rhett Warren, 2, (pictured) about the risks of fire. It comes as Gold Coast Council is spending $30k in a review of playgrounds, with traditional slides and monkey bars facing the chop.
PARENTS would prefer their toddlers to play with fire than sit in front of a screen.
In a Queensland first, parents are on board as a new early learning centre on the Gold Coast adds a controversial R to the traditional three Rs ... risk.
A large fire pit takes pride of place in the innovative playground that is revolutionising play. Children as young as two will cook bread, sausages and marshmallows to gain a tangible knowledge of fire dangers but more importantly the kids will be empowered to manage risky situations for themselves.
“From the response we have had so far, parents are crying out for experiences that replicate real life and challenge children. We expected critics but there has not been one. Parents are supporting the backlash against screen time and too much bubble wrap,” said Lucy Cook, director of Amaze Early Education Centre, which opens at Ormeau in just over a week.
“Being a new centre it’s a great opportunity to get families on board with our philosophy from the moment they step through the doors. This philosophy flows through the centre as our staff and parents are educated on how to support children at play and how to access risk versus hazards,” she said.
Play experts have been pushing for the danger element to be reinstated into playgrounds as children’s health and wellbeing has suffered in recent years.
Nature Play Queensland program manager Hyahno Moser said parents wanted to bring back the type of play they enjoyed as kids.
“Risk has been stripped out of the modern playground to the detriment of our children’s physical, social and cognitive development. Risky play is not only exciting for children, but prepares them for the adult world by teaching them vital life skills like risk assessment, independence, negotiation, resilience and problem-solving.”
The Ormeau playground, designed by Lukas Ritson, has movable and interchangeable parts that allow children to use different muscles and encourages them to problem solve and assess danger.