The Play Parks initiative is a community-centred programme that aims to provide free and accessible weekly physical activity sessions in a local park or community space. The initiative brings children together for an hour every Saturday from 9-10 and helps them play together in a way that is healthy and educational, fostering their fundamental movement skills, social connections, and engagement with their local community. It is designed for children aged 2-9 years and can be implemented in communities of diverse demographics, ensuring that children from all areas can benefit from the programme.
The programme works by partnering with community members, educators, and parents who act as Play Park Leaders and Community Shapers. These individuals receive online training and support from Kids Collab, a team of healthcare professionals, who provide them with knowledge-based resources and guidance on delivering the weekly Play Parks sessions.
Play Park Leaders play a crucial role in the administration and execution of Play Parks in their community, taking charge of community engagement, promotion of the initiative and ensuring the smooth running of the programme. They also handle administrative tasks, including registrations and communications with parents and participants. On the day of the activations, they lead the sessions and facilitate the play activities, supported by dedicated Community Shapers, who assist with the one hour activations.
Parents register their children online through the Kids Collab platform, and upon confirmation, they bring their children to their designated Play Parks location. The children participate in a one-hour session that focuses on physical activity, fundamental movement skills, and play-based learning experiences. These sessions incorporate age-appropriate activities, games, and exercises that promote healthy habits, social and emotional development, and overall well-being.
The Play Parks initiative benefits children by providing them with safe and inclusive spaces to engage in physical activity, improve their motor skills, and develop social connections with peers. Additionally, the initiative uplifts the community by revitalising local parks, promotes community engagement, and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the shared spaces.
By addressing the need for accessible physical activity opportunities, Play Parks aims to combat sedentary lifestyles, contribute to the reduction of childhood obesity, and enhance the overall health and well-being of children in diverse communities.
The Play Parks initiative is a community-centred programme that aims to provide free and accessible weekly physical activity sessions in a local park or community space. The initiative brings children together for an hour every Saturday from 9-10 and helps them play together in a way that is healthy and educational, fostering their fundamental movement skills, social connections, and engagement with their local community. It is designed for children aged 2-9 years and can be implemented in communities of diverse demographics, ensuring that children from all areas can benefit from the programme.
The programme works by partnering with community members, educators, and parents who act as Play Park Leaders and Community Shapers. These individuals receive online training and support from Kids Collab, a team of healthcare professionals, who provide them with knowledge-based resources and guidance on delivering the weekly Play Parks sessions.
Play Park Leaders play a crucial role in the administration and execution of Play Parks in their community, taking charge of community engagement, promotion of the initiative and ensuring the smooth running of the programme. They also handle administrative tasks, including registrations and communications with parents and participants. On the day of the activations, they lead the sessions and facilitate the play activities, supported by dedicated Community Shapers, who assist with the one hour activations.
Parents register their children online through the Kids Collab platform, and upon confirmation, they bring their children to their designated Play Parks location. The children participate in a one-hour session that focuses on physical activity, fundamental movement skills, and play-based learning experiences. These sessions incorporate age-appropriate activities, games, and exercises that promote healthy habits, social and emotional development, and overall well-being.
The Play Parks initiative benefits children by providing them with safe and inclusive spaces to engage in physical activity, improve their motor skills, and develop social connections with peers. Additionally, the initiative uplifts the community by revitalising local parks, promotes community engagement, and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the shared spaces.
By addressing the need for accessible physical activity opportunities, Play Parks aims to combat sedentary lifestyles, contribute to the reduction of childhood obesity, and enhance the overall health and well-being of children in diverse communities.
Here in our community, we proudly acknowledge the invaluable initiative of our play parks. These vibrant spaces stand as testaments to our commitment to the well-being and development of our residents, particularly our children. Through thoughtful design and dedicated stewardship, our play parks have become hubs of activity, creativity, and connection, enriching the lives of all who visit them.
From the laughter echoing on playgrounds to the inspired strokes of paint on art installations, our play parks embody the spirit of joy, exploration, and community that defines us. They provide not only opportunities for physical activity and imaginative play but also serve as catalysts for social interaction, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all those involved in bringing these spaces to life, from the visionary planners and designers to the tireless volunteers and supportive community members. Your dedication and passion have transformed mere landscapes into vibrant canvases of possibility, where memories are made, friendships are forged, and dreams take flight.
As we continue to nurture and cherish our play parks, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to creating inclusive, accessible, and welcoming spaces for all members of our community. Together, let us celebrate the boundless potential of play and the enduring impact it has on our lives.
...We are delighted to share the overwhelming gratitude expressed by the children in our community for the introduction of bean bag games and rollover activities in our programming. These interactive and engaging games have had a profound impact on the children, fostering a sense of joy, excitement, and gratitude.
The introduction of bean bag games has provided children with a fun and dynamic way to develop their coordination, balance, and teamwork skills. Through tossing, catching, and balancing bean bags, children have not only improved their physical abilities but also enjoyed moments of laughter and camaraderie with their peers.
Similarly, the inclusion of rollover activities has brought about a sense of adventure and challenge for the children. Navigating through obstacles, overcoming hurdles, and working together as a team have instilled in them a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.
The overwhelming gratitude expressed by the children is a testament to the positive impact these activities have had on their lives. They have eagerly embraced these new experiences, expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to engage in playful and enriching activities that bring them closer together as a community.
As organizers, we are humbled and inspired by the heartfelt gratitude of the children. Their expressions of thanks serve as a reminder of the importance of providing opportunities for joyful and meaningful experiences that contribute to their overall well-being and development.
Moving forward, we remain committed to continuing our efforts to enrich the lives of children in our community through engaging and interactive activities. With their gratitude as our guiding light, we will strive to create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
...We are delighted to share the overwhelming gratitude expressed by the children in our community for the introduction of bean bag games and rollover activities in our programming. These interactive and engaging games have had a profound impact on the children, fostering a sense of joy, excitement, and gratitude.
The introduction of bean bag games has provided children with a fun and dynamic way to develop their coordination, balance, and teamwork skills. Through tossing, catching, and balancing bean bags, children have not only improved their physical abilities but also enjoyed moments of laughter and camaraderie with their peers.
Similarly, the inclusion of rollover activities has brought about a sense of adventure and challenge for the children. Navigating through obstacles, overcoming hurdles, and working together as a team have instilled in them a deep sense of accomplishment and pride.
The overwhelming gratitude expressed by the children is a testament to the positive impact these activities have had on their lives. They have eagerly embraced these new experiences, expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to engage in playful and enriching activities that bring them closer together as a community.
As organizers, we are humbled and inspired by the heartfelt gratitude of the children. Their expressions of thanks serve as a reminder of the importance of providing opportunities for joyful and meaningful experiences that contribute to their overall well-being and development.
Moving forward, we remain committed to continuing our efforts to enrich the lives of children in our community through engaging and interactive activities. With their gratitude as our guiding light, we will strive to create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.
We are thrilled to share with you the progress of our project and the impact it has had on our community thus far. Through the generous funding we have received, we were able to acquire essential equipment to facilitate our creative activities for children.
We are excited to showcase photos and videos of our project in action, demonstrating the positive outcomes that have emerged from our efforts. These visuals provide a glimpse into the vibrant and engaging environment we've created, where children are actively participating in various creative activities such as art workshops, storytelling sessions, and interactive games.
The funding has played a crucial role in getting our project up and running by enabling us to purchase equipment such as art supplies, storytelling props, and interactive game materials. These resources have enhanced the quality and effectiveness of our activities, allowing us to provide enriching experiences for the children in our community.
The impact of our project has been profound, as evidenced by the enthusiastic participation and positive feedback from both children and their families. We've witnessed firsthand how our creative activities have fostered a sense of joy, empowerment, and belonging among participants, helping them to express themselves freely and develop important life skills.
Looking ahead, we are committed to building upon the success of our project and expanding its reach within our community. We plan to continue offering a diverse range of creative activities, while also exploring opportunities to collaborate with local organizations and schools to further enrich the experiences of our participants.
In conclusion, we are immensely grateful for the support and funding that has enabled us to bring our project to life and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in our community. With your continued support, we are confident that we can continue to inspire creativity, foster personal growth, and create positive change for years to come.
as our kids enjoyed the soccer play.
attached is our impact report for the Intouch Play Parks that has been implemented for the past two months. Much gratitude for allowing us to nurture the lives of Kids through the creative activities.
...Before the race begins, the driver picks up the wheelbarrow's ankles and the wheelbarrow lift's themselves onto their hands or arms. On one, two, three and go, try to race to the finishing line without falling over. The pair that cross the finishing line first win.
ChangeX
Kids Collab
Lego Foundations
Tosunga Baninga
Eugiey Meck foundation
UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA ORANGE FARM CENTRAL
#Empower_Inspire_Enable
...One player from each team takes their sponge, runs down to the full bucket, fills the sponge with the water, runs back to squeeze as much water as possible into the empty bucket. Then the next player goes and so on, until they run out of water or the time session is up.
ChangeX
Kids Collab
Lego Foundations
Tosunga Baninga
Eugiey Meck foundation
UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA ORANGE FARM CENTRAL
#Empower_Inspire_Enable
...Tug of war is a sport that pits two teams against each other in a test of strength: teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, with the goal being to bring the rope a certain distance in one direction against the force of the opposing team's pull.
ChangeX
Kids Collab
Lego Foundations
Tosunga Baninga
Eugiey Meck foundation
UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA ORANGE FARM CENTRAL
#Empower_Inspire_Enable
Stories help us understand others.
Whether we actually know the individual or not, hearing their story evokes feelings within us. Learning to relate to others and empathize with them is so important in developing social skills and making friends.
...its always an honor and greatful to be surrounded by the Children. Having experience and also learning from them is a great way to achieve and pull out from mental health.
...will be having different and exciting games today with the little ones. Dont miss out the Intouch Play Park.
...Thank you again for the gift of life, saturday and a great day with our Kids. How creative these kids are. I urge parents to continue nurturing the lives of these kids. They really need our support system. We are honored to share priceless moments with them.
Saturday 19 August 2023 is going to be an extremely incredible day with Kids, why not joining us? Mr. Enos Tshabalala the Camp Director will be having fun with the little ones. We cannot wait for the day! #If we could speedy up the chronometer.