Urban Thinkscape Halifax

Urban Thinkscape is a project of Playful Learning Landscapes that groups 3 low-cost activities together to generate high-quality interactions between children and caregivers in an urban environment. Playful Learning Landscapes provides 4 templates that communities can choose from to develop their set of 3 urban activities (Puzzle Wall, Jumping Feet, Giant Ruler, Analogy Stepping Stones). Communities are free to develop their own activities for the site as long as the new activities follow the playful learning design principles. At least one of the activities for each Urban Thinkscape project should come from the Playful Learning Landscape templates.

Playful Learning Landscapes is a global movement that is situated at the intersection of placemaking and early learning. By infusing our cities and public spaces with playful learning opportunities for children and families, we create vibrant and inclusive social environments that nurture a strong sense of community. We also improve educational equity and enhance children’s cognitive and social development, better preparing them for success in the 21st- century.

To design Playful Learning Landscapes, we use a 3-part formula:

1. How Children Learn

Meaningful Actively Engaging Socially Interactive Iterative Joyful

2. What Children Learn

Communication; Content; Critical Thinking; Creative Innovation, Confidence, Collaboration

3. Community Values

A successful design will incorporate all 5 qualities of HOW children learn, and at least 1-2 of the 6C’s that define the learning goals, or WHAT children need to learn to flourish.

To design Playful Learning Landscapes, we use a 3-part formula:

1. How Children Learn

Meaningful Actively Engaging Socially Interactive Iterative Joyful

2. What Children Learn

Communication; Content; Critical Thinking; Creative Innovation, Confidence, Collaboration

3. Community Values

A successful design will incorporate all 5 qualities of HOW children learn, and at least 1-2 of the 6C’s that define the learning goals, or WHAT children need to learn to flourish.

Julia Weir 参加済み Urban Thinkscape Halifax a Urban Thinkscape グループ約3年前

Marsha Hite

約3年前

I have contacted Ricky Loftis with Sparkle Wash Systems and he will be by to take a look at the wall and let me know what needs to be done (do we need to remove the vines prior to pressure washing or will they come down with the pressure wash). I will be back in touch as soon as he comes by.

Marsha

Denise Barksdale

約3年前

We held our first meeting Wednesday 2/24. We will start with contacting a local pressure washer company here in Town about pressure washing the wall and cleaning off the dead ivy. This will need to be done before we hang the overhead outdoor/patio string lights. We have a meeting with 2 local landscapers to help us layout the best plan for the Thinkscape space along with helping design our Jumping Feet layout and what space might be the best for a possible Puzzle Wall. We will use some of the seed funding to provide planters, plants, stones for the Jumping Feet. As we gather information on the puzzle wall we will look at that expense and the possibility of having that installed. We will be installing a living free library in the Thinkscape space along with working with a local artist to do some local maps of the County/Town on some of the wall space. Some of the seed funding will help with purchase of materials needed for the living free library. We have a local contractor who has graciously agreed to build the free library free of charge.We want some of the wall space to be available for a chalk art wall or space where kids can work out math problems if needed. Local business is providing free WiFi for the space. We will have bistro tables/benches available where the community can sit and do school or office work if needed. Once open to the public we will have sanitizing stations available along with requiring face coverings. One of our group members has reached out to the school system not only about this being an opportunity for school kids to get some volunteer hours if needed but to also work with our local school system to help promote and possibly partner with them. Once we have planters in place we will create a public event inviting the community to bring the kids out to help with the plantings. This space can be utilized by all school age kids.This seed funding gives us an opportunity to turn an under utilized space into a safe Urban Thinkscape space for all community kids to come play and learn outside!