Christian David Moravian Primary School in Steenberg had their outdoor play area upgraded on Saturday November 12.
Sarah Atmore, project manager for the Cape Town Museum of Childhood, a project of the Centre for Early Childhood Development (CECD) , said Professor Jonathan Jansen, Professor of Education at the University of Stellenbosch and CECD provided the school with a jungle gym, sand pit and balance beam.
“These structures will provide the young children of the school with more options for outdoor play, encouraging healthy physical development for the children at the same time as teaching them valuable social and emotional skills and most importantly having fun,” she said.
Sharing a few words of encouragement with the team, Professor Jansen said: “I learnt a long time ago, the best way to learn is to play.
“We must start with young children. If the foundations are not right then don’t worry about matric. Start at a young age. Children must be able to read and write. I am so glad that a child in this area can come to school and look forward to the breaks.”
Principal Benita Cornelius expressed her gratitude to Professor Jansen and CECD who funded the new developments as well as “those parents, staff members and children who attended the work party event to get their hands dirty and put the finishing touches on the new outdoor equipment”.
The jungle gym was built by Cerfs Adventure Playgrounds, a local company from Grassy Park that specialises in jungle gyms.
Ms Atmore added: “This school has also recently received a library from Breadline Africa. It is equipped with age appropriate books in local languages to help children reach their literacy milestones and develop a love of reading.”
