Playground revamp now included special needs learners
Playing outside plays an essential role in the development of children with special needs, including physical disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders.
This was according to New Hope School social worker, Wilma Pretorius, during the revamp of the foundation phase playground at the school on May 8.
In celebration of RED Day, volunteers came together to refurbish the playground to make it accessible and fit for every learner's needs.
Pretorius said the expansion and special design of the playground are going to have a very positive impact on the learners' development and livelihood.
The volunteers did a lot of renovations, including tracks which were made on the playground to enable learners with physical disabilities and those in wheelchairs to easily access and move around it.
'Some of the things on the playground weren't accessible for physically disabled children, and they would not have the opportunity to play like the other learners.
'Our physiotherapists always encourage a lot of moving around for the learners to develop their muscles and connections from their brains to the nerves. But because the space was too small for everyone to fit in, the learners would not want to participate.'
She said a bigger and nicer playground encourages learners to take part in moving and using their bodies in different ways.
She added that the playground will also improve the learners' cognitive development and social skills.
'Children learn through play. The more variety they have in their play sessions, the more they are able to develop on certain levels.'
Pretorius said that for learners with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, who often get frustrated with learning traditionally, it becomes a different way to learn.
'After having to concentrate in class for a while, their energy builds up, but now they will have the opportunity to let it all out and exercise, which really helps to calm them down, reset and be able to focus again.'
Other renovations included the expansion of a sandpit, shaded canopies, buddy benches and drawing and painting of floor games.
Sponsors and volunteers played games with the learners while their new playground was being prepared.
One of the volunteers, Jenny Buck, said she feels content to have made an impact on the children's different developmental processes through the playground.
New Hope School principal Gerhard Venter said he feels honoured to have had volunteers assisting the school in the upgrade of the playground and making it accessible to all learners.
'It's not just about beautifying… but the functionality of the playground that makes a difference with the learners in a sense that they can spontaneously develop physically and mentally as they are playing.'
Venter expressed his gratitude to all the role players in the revamp of the playground and said the new play area will definitely improve their learners' development in all aspects.
WATCH:
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bank of Canada governor talks fighting inflation in a ‘shock-prone' world
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem sat down for a one-on-one interview with The Canadian Press after the central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady on June 4, 2025. He discusses how the central bank can – and can't – address issues like housing affordability while still keeping inflation under wraps. (June 7, 2025)
CNA
17 minutes ago
- CNA
Norway dare to dream big again after a quarter century of heartbreak
After a quarter of a century of near misses and heartbreak, Norway's rout of Italy in their World Cup qualifier has reignited the country's hope of a return to international football's biggest stage. There was little doubt that Norway were the better team on Friday as they easily dominated Italy in Oslo, pushing on until the scoreboard read 3-0 and taking a big step towards next year's World Cup. For supporters of the Norwegian team, the result has sparked a glimmer of hope in hearts that have been broken many times over the past decades. Norway have not participated in an international football tournament since the European Championship in 2000, which was hosted in Belgium and the Netherlands. There have been many close calls since then, with the margins consistently going against the squad, but now there is a shift in attitude after Norway dominated against the four-times world champions. "I am 100 per cent sure", former Norway, Denmark and Iceland coach Age Hareide told newspaper VG when asked if Norway would go to the World Cup. SOLID STATISTICS Norway are in pole position in Group I with nine points out of nine and a goal surplus of 10. Israel, Estonia and Moldova are the other nations in the group. The Football Meets Data statistics platform gives Norway a 77 per cent chance of winning the group and qualifying directly for the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Key striker Erling Haaland, who put himself on the scoresheet against Italy, agreed with the statistics. "We are too good not to play in championships. I will play both the World Cup and the European Championship. Not to put pressure on myself but I will," he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. While World Cup fever in Norway is reaching a point not seen since 1998, when Norway last participated, manager Stale Solbakken, wise from experience, is lowering expectations. "It is a coach's misfortune that I have to concentrate on the next match, so you can enjoy yourselves and ask those questions. I would have liked to say that it was 100 per cent certain but I can't," he told reporters after Friday's game.
Al Jazeera
18 minutes ago
- Al Jazeera
ICE launches ‘military-style' raids in Los Angeles: What we know
Los Angeles witnessed a series of coordinated immigration raids by United States law enforcement officials on Friday, resulting in the arrest of dozens and igniting widespread protests. The raids, which were carried out in a military-style operation, have intensified concerns about the force used by federal immigration officials and the rights of undocumented individuals. Here is what we know about the raids and the latest on the ground. Federal agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a series of 'immigration enforcement operations' across Los Angeles on Friday morning. Individuals suspected of 'immigration violations and the use of fraudulent documents' were arrested. The arrests were carried out without judicial warrants, according to multiple legal observers and confirmed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which did not take part in the raids, was called in to quell ensuing protests. The raids were part of a broader initiative under the Trump administration's intensified immigration policies. The raids focused on several locations in downtown LA and its immediate surroundings. These spots are known to have significant migrant populations and labour-intensive industries. Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which covers California, said advocates had recorded enforcement activity at seven sites. This included two Home Depot stores in the Westlake District of Los Angeles, a doughnut shop and the clothing wholesaler, Ambiance Apparel in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles. Other locations in which raids were carried out included day labour centres and one other Ambiance facility near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in south Los Angeles. ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) reported the 'administrative arrest' of 44 individuals for immigration-related offences. An administrative arrest, unlike a criminal arrest, refers to detention for civil immigration violations such as overstaying a visa or lacking legal status, and does not require criminal charges. These arrests can result in detention, deportation, temporary re-entry bans and denial of future immigration requests. Advocates believe the number of arrests made was higher, however. Caleb Soto, of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told Al Jazeera that between 70 and 80 people had been detained, but only three lawyers have been allowed access to the detention centre where they were being held to provide legal advice. Additionally, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, was arrested for allegedly obstructing federal agents during the raids. Huerta was reportedly injured during the arrest and received medical treatment at Los Angeles General Medical Center before being taken into custody. What sets these raids apart from typical civil enforcement actions was their military-style execution, experts say. According to witnesses, legal observers and advocacy groups, federal agents involved in the operations were heavily armed and dressed in tactical gear, with some wearing camouflage and carrying rifles. Agents arrived in unmarked black SUVs and armoured vehicles and, at certain points, sealed off entire streets around targeted buildings. Drones were reportedly used for surveillance in some areas and access to sites was blocked off with yellow tape, similar to measures which would be taken during a high-threat counterterrorism or drug bust operation. The ACLU described the show of force as an 'oppressive and vile paramilitary operation'. Civil liberties groups said the tactics used had created panic in local communities and may have violated protocols for civil immigration enforcement. As news of the raids spread via social media and through immigrant advocacy networks, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Edward R Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where detainees were being processed. Demonstrators blocked entrances and exits to the building, chanted slogans and demanded the release of those arrested. Some spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on the building's exterior walls. Several protesters attempted to physically stop ICE vehicles, leading to confrontations with law enforcement. LAPD officers issued dispersal orders and warned protesters that they would be subject to arrest if they remained in the area. To enforce the order, officers in riot gear deployed tear gas, pepper spray and 'less-lethal munitions', including firing rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. A citywide tactical alert was also issued, requiring all LAPD officers to remain on duty. Shortly after 7pm on Friday [02:00 GMT Saturday], the LAPD declared the protests to be an 'unlawful assembly', meaning that those who failed to leave the area could be subject to arrest. The declaration appeared to remain in effect until the crowd dispersed later that evening, though no formal end time was publicly announced. US media outlets and rights groups reported that hundreds of detainees, including children, were held overnight in the basement of the federal building without access to beds, blankets or adequate food and water. However, an ICE spokesperson told CBS News that the agency 'categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles', stating that it takes its mandate to care for people in custody 'seriously'. The status of all individuals detained remains unclear. While some have been released, others continue to be held and details about their current locations or conditions have not been fully disclosed. Local and state officials condemned the raids and the manner in which they were conducted. In a statement shared on X on Friday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said such operations 'sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city'.California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement describing the operations as 'cruel' and 'chaotic', adding that they are an attempt 'to meet an arbitrary arrest quota'. All 15 members of the Los Angeles City Council issued a joint statement denouncing the raids. Some Trump administration officials, on the other hand, defended the actions and criticised local leaders for pushing back. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, for instance, suggested that Mayor Karen Bass was undermining federal law.
