Photo Essay: New play opportunties in a Papua New Guinean school

At Koiari Park Adventist Primary School near Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, a large field was available to children during recess and lunch. However, only the occasional rugby game was a sign that children engaged in play on the field. A collaboration among international researchers and a consultant from Playground Ideas resulted in creation of a locally resourced playground on the site. The playground was designed based on children's drawings with input from teachers and parents. A workshop on play was conducted for local teachers and other school personnel by the researchers. Several teacher reflections on the workshop specified that they had not made clear links between play during recess and lunch and the academic curriculum. Subsequently, teachers expressed interest in fostering children's play, creativity and imagination using the newly built playground as a venue for both recess and learning. Early indicators that the playground is poised for success include before and after school usage, increased school attendance and observations of all 16 types of play within Hughes' (2002) taxonomy. While the ever-popular rugby game may still be played on site, it is far more likely that children will be engaged in freely chosen play experiences that are individually and collectively alluring, while teachers look on or join in.