FREE GAME

As future teachers we wanted to add to our website a section explaining our vision, as experts, of space in education. How we think, as a team, about what should be the design of spaces in nursery schools, and for this we have focused on the playground. 

To make it more realistic we made a 3D model. At first we were not very clear about the idea on which we wanted to base the model, so the whole team brainstormed ideas. In the end we opted for an outdoor space where children could feel free, so we decided to call the model Free Game.  But we can't just think about playtime in terms of having it or not having it. It has to be good for the child's development and not intervene in it, that's why it has to be well organised. 

We wanted to divide the model into three different areas, divided and organised pedagogically so that the children can make the most of the space and thus have more benefits.

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As soon as we enter Free Game we find the play area, obviously this area is subdivided into three parts but they are linked together.  As soon as we enter we find the guided play area, these are games that are drawn on the floor and are under a roof, we can see that in the model there is hopscotch and twister but the idea is that they can play many more. If we continue to move through the space we find the symbolic play area where there is a sandbox to play for example the kitchenettes and finally we find the free play area, here we find the slides and swings, as well as all the space that is free where the children can move and play freely. The play area is the largest of all as the children need space to run around and have fun, especially if they have just come out of the classroom and this area is surrounded by a few trees to provide them with shade while they play and so they can also be a little closer to nature.

As you enter the Free Game entrance, in the bottom right hand corner we have placed the garden area, we decided that this was the best area because of the light coming in and because it is away from the hustle and bustle of the children playing, it is a quieter area where you can work while enjoying nature. While there are children playing, other classes can go to this area without being disturbed. In addition, it was necessary that this area was well separated from the play area, because in the end they are totally different environments and areas.

Finally we find the Garden of Books area, located as its name suggests in the Free Game garden, we have worked hard in this area to make it a quiet and comfortable area to spend time reading, in the end it is an area that is prepared for it, as it invites to develop this activity. We found several huts that allow free reading and a tepee where we will find all the children's literature stored. We decided that all the books that should be in this tepee should be literary, as we were only looking for fun and entertainment for the children. We can't forget the cushions area, more prepared for group reading.

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Now we want to develop more why we have chosen these areas in a more pedagogical way:

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-The orchard → we have added an orchard to our model, because we believe that pedagogically it is very beneficial for students to have a natural space where you can work and play, interacting with your surroundings and enjoying the sun and the outdoors. This teaching tool allows to implement a large number of competencies and disciplines at the same time. It promotes students' responsibility for growing their own food, and also provides them with free and natural enthusiasm and learning. It allows you to test and experiment with the learning by doing technique that will make learning meaningful. It incorporates important values in the pupils such as respect, patience, commitment, companionship, conservation and care for nature, the environment and the surroundings, as well as promoting a healthy and balanced diet among our pupils, without the use of chemical products. It is also a good way for the infant children to help them to situate themselves in the season of the year in which we find ourselves, as the idea is to cultivate local products according to the season of the year in which we find ourselves. 

In our garden we can also observe our rabbit/scarecrow Bunny, who helps us to watch over and look after the garden.