St. Philip Lutheran School is excited to unveil their first ever playground. Playgrounds are safe spaces where kids develop crucial physical, social, emotional and imaginative skills necessary to gain self-confidence, improve coordination, and advance critical thinking capabilities (Little Tikes). Now St. Philip has not been lacking in the outdoor toy category, but they have been missing a large play structure for some time and through fundraising efforts and a lot of heart this dream will soon become a reality.
At St. Philip Lutheran School, outdoor physical play is highly valued. There are many physical benefits to outdoor play, such as:
· Improved flexibility and balance
· Development of overall motor skills, dexterity and hand-eye coordination
· Opportunities to learn how to control their movement
· Improved instincts
· Promotion of healthy heart and lung function
· Stronger muscles
· Improved immune function
· Lowered risk of obesity and diabetes
And these benefits are part of St. Philip’s mission to serve the whole child (mind, body, and soul).
Beyond the physical benefits, a playground is also a space for social and emotional development. Many of the skills and values that we teach in our Social Emotional Learning program at St. Philip are also able to be developed on the playground. Some of these skills, such as: overcoming shyness, getting along, and taking turns/showing patience are able to be practiced on the playground in addition to the classroom.
The playground is a place for imagination to come to life and a space for this to happen was crucial to St. Philip’s growth as a school. St. Philip is overjoyed to be creating this new playground with the help of Cunningham Recreation and all of their Church/School families who have supported them throughout this journey.
Be on the lookout for an open day of play, St. Philip will be hosting, in the near future to give your child(ren) the chance to test out the new playground.
Let’s have some fun!
