Discovery Park - Toddler and Kids Play Area in Dubai

BASED ON THE PYRAMID OF LEARNING

Installations: Tee-pee Climbing Structure (Net, Wall, Ladder) Jungle Gym Castle Monkey Bars.

The proprioceptive system requires the use of our muscles and joints and involves some sort of resistance. These ‘Heavy Work” activities, part of our kids play area, such as climbing, pushing or pulling heavy objects improve body awareness and muscle strength. They have the important added benefit of improving attention and concentration for learning and also have a calming effect. The more these activities are incorporated within a child’s day, the greater the impact! If your child becomes overloaded or over stimulated with sensory input, then proprioceptive activities are fantastic to regulate your child.

This system helps children to develop an awareness of the body position in space and gives their movements smoothness and co-ordination. The proprioceptive system enables children to know where their own body ends and where space begins.

Proprioception allows us to develop body awareness with the promotion of motor planning and coordination. Heavy work activities rarely overload the body. It helps to calm and regulate the body but keeps the body alert at the same time.

Animal interaction is beneficial to young children in a variety of ways from a social developmental standpoint. Interaction with animals can teach children about the circle of life. The lifespan of an animal provides so many lessons for kids to learn about life – the beauty, the harshness and the joy. Caring for animals fosters responsibility and leadership in children and promotes social bonds and sharing. Interacting with animals also teaches empathy and compassion and is an appropriate way for them to experience being a caregiver. Children also learn patience and self-control while interacting with animals.

Installations: Water Feature, Scratch Patch, Sensory Path

Tactile perception, also called touch perception, is the brain’s means to understand information coming from the skin all over our body, which has many receptors for all different kinds of sensations. The tactile system helps us understand important sensations such as pressure, texture, temperature and pain.

Touch is very important for us to be organized and it is the first system to develop in the womb. A newborn baby’s first contact with their mother is through skin-to-skin contact. Touch input from a young age provides comfort and security.

The tactile system helps us to understand the world around us and interpret our environment effectively. Tactile activities help children feel comfortable in their own skin and body, and promote the development of fine motor skills.

Installations: Swing set, Hammock, Balance Beams, Treehouse/Slide

The vestibular system plays an important role in the relationship between our body, gravity and the physical world. This system allows us to understand where we are in space. It tells us whether we are stationary or moving, how quickly we are moving, and in what direction we are moving in.

This system is crucial for balance, hand-eye coordination, and confidence in movement.

When the vestibular system is working effectively it enhances our attention, concentration and even being able to sit still for a period of time without squirming!