Learn By Playing in Nature

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Play is an important tool in the development of a child.

Research has shown that children strengthen their learning abilities through creative play. Meanwhile, nature also has innumerable mind-body health benefits for humans. With these two fundamental theories in mind, NParks has been creating nature playgardens in our green spaces to harness the power of play and nature in enhancing the developmental growth of young children.

So what are some of these benefits of outdoor play amidst nature?

(1) Overall Health

Today’s children spend a huge amount of time on electronic devices, be it in school or for leisure. With the Covid-19 pandemic, Home-Based Learning through electronic devices has become a norm.

If we could encourage children to spend more time outdoors, studies have shown that it will produce physical development benefits such as enhanced motor skills and overall bodily health.

(2) Biophilia

Biophilia is defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings. The term is derived from the Greek words for “life” and “love or affection”, making its literal translation a “love of life.”

With high rates of urbanisation in a developed city like Singapore, it is important to include play areas in a natural setting for children. Evidence has shown that spending time in nature helps to improve concentration in children, particularly those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Exposure to the flora and fauna around also can help to strengthen a child’s immune system and results in better emotional and mental well-being.

(3) Sharpening Senses

The Singing Seeds_CreditNParks

Nature playgardens allow for experiential learning where children gain a multi-sensory experience of playing freely amidst a natural environment using what nature provides. Through navigating the space around them, their senses will be stimulated by what they see, touch, hear and smell from around them. Children can play imaginatively and explore creatively with the materials and structures in place in the playgardens.

Nature playgardens allow for children to have the freedom and independence to interact with their environment and make sense of their surroundings in their own way. This in turn helps them develop a greater sense of independence and confidence in the process,

encouraging the cultivation of risk-taking skills from a young age.

Unique Features of Nature Playgardens

About 99% of the playgardens are made using recycled natural materials and incorporates design ideas from unstructured play areas in Japan and United States.

Check out some of these unique play features found in some of our nature playgardens.

(1) Tic-Tac-Toe at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Tic tac toe

Children get to play tic-tac-toe. Studies have shown that this can help improve hand-eye coordination for children. It also encourages better social interaction through collaborative play.

(2) Long, meandering slides at Jubilee Park

Jubilee Park slides (5)

Kids will have fun going down these long slides that are built making use of the terrain in Jubilee Park. Slides are said to stimulate a child’s balance, coordination and reflexes. Sliding can also help boost a child’s confidence by letting him or her overcome the fear of falling and to know where their limits are.

(3) Forest playground in Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden in Singapore Botanic Gardens

Kids can explore a treetop canopy and play the flying fox at this forest playground. It is believed that when children use the flying fox, it helps to build up their confidence and self-esteem. It also builds up their capacity for taking risks and gives children the sense of overcoming an obstacle.

(4) Forest Ramble in Jurong Lake Gardens

11.1 Squirrel Play_Credit NParks

While playing with the features in Forest Ramble, children get to mimic the movements of creatures that inhabit a freshwater swamp forest. It is no surprise that ‘playing pretend’ is not only good fun for children, but it also aids in their development of social, emotional, physical, creative and problem-solving skills! Such skills are particularly important for the young as they can form solid foundations for a child’s overall development.

There are now more than 25 nature playgardens across our island. Click here to locate one near your home and look out for even more as NParks expands the network, for children to enjoy play while benefitting from connecting with nature.

Our City In Nature

Over the years, NParks has created a green network comprising roadside planting and a Park Connector Network that links up parks and other green spaces. Skyrise greenery dot developments while biophilic design has been adopted in restoring habitats.

But as Singapore continues to urbanise, the growing infrastructure will put increasing pressure on the established green cover. Coupled with climate change and more extreme weather conditions, this will result in higher urban temperatures and the increased risks of localised flooding events. Our City in Nature vision works to ensure the city develops in a way that continues to provide a high-quality living environment for residents while ensuring Singapore remains a distinctive global city.

Learn more about City in Nature here.

Visit NParksSG, our refreshed YouTube channel that serves as a one-stop repository for some 300 video resources. It also provides you a platform for existing and future digital outreach including DIY gardening and related crafts, virtual tours of our green spaces, and livestream events.

For more information about the flora and fauna found in Singapore, please visit NParks Flora and Fauna Web.

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Text by Lee Peiyi

Download the NEAR mobile app to find a route via our park connectors or trails.

Learn By Playing in Nature

National Parks Board