PLAYGROUND

2008-06-30T21:49:00.001-07:00

Block 426 Tampines Street 41
#08-425
Singapore 520426

Lee Jia Le Clarice

1 July 2008

Feedback on the playgrounds in Tampines

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister of National Development
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Mr Mah,

I am a Secondary Two student from Pasir Ris Secondary. In our previous Literature projects, we were supposed to make a 3D model of it with recycled materials, targeting emotionally scarred abused children. We did a research about the various playground in our neighborhood and ways to treat abused children and added them as a feature on our playground.

During this project, we began to notice the playgrounds located near our school and look out for the details of it. We came to realize that the playgrounds near our school are not as attractive to young children. The playgrounds could be more attractive if more creative design are proposed. For example, in our design of our playground, we added whiteboards to prevent further vandalism. It is also a great help to these emotionally scarred abused children as they can express their scars through words and art.

Because of this project, we understand more about playgrounds and its features. Some features can help to add on to the beauty of a playground. We also noticed that some of the musical features are common around Tampines, hence I suggest that different kinds of musical features can be added to attract more children. It is a music therapy to help those emotionally scarred abused children to express their feelings through music.

Most importantly, play therapy is the most important therapy. It is a type of mental health or developmental intervention which is designed to help children grow up as happy and well-adjusted as possible. It utilizes play, children’s natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words. Play allows children a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows them to express their true thoughts and feelings in ways best suited to their developmental level. Hence, I think we should improve on the playgrounds to allow the children to relax and play.

To relax is also another therapy for children to relieve stress. Stress is a negative impact especially on students. No matter how insignificant the problem may seem, it led to stress which affects the students, in their studies and emotions.

So therefore, I hope you can consider my suggestions to help the students who are in need to destress by improving the current state of the playgrounds in Tampines. Thank you for reading my proposal and I sincerely hope that you can take actions to it.

Yours Faithfully,
Lee Jia Le Clarice
Student of Pasir Ris Secondary

Feedback about the playgrounds in Tampines

2008-06-30T21:43:00.001-07:00

Block 426 Tampines Street 41
#08-425
Singapore 520426

1/7/2008

Feedback about the playgrounds in Tampines

Shermaine Wee

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister of National Development
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Mr Mah Bow Tan,
I am a student from Pasir Ris Secondary School. My group members and I have came up with a research and model about a playground for abused children with emotional scars.

We have researched that music, toys, communication, art, relaxation can help the abused children concentrate on playing and forget about their dark past. Music stimulates the mind and soul. Toys are to let them know that there is someone out there to help and lend them a listening ear. Art helps them to express their feelings in drawings. Like art, communication also helps the child to express their feelings, but in words. Through communication, the child could improve the way they socialise with others. Relaxation can help the child to feel less tensed and carefree. So we have decided to build the playground with extra features such as built-in musical instruments and some whiteboards.

After reflecting about the playgrounds in the neighborhood, I think the
playgrounds are very creative and user friendly. However, the
playgrounds are not well conditioned. There are many graffiti on
the playground so I was wondering whether you would consider my
suggestion of repainting the playground. The features of the
playground could also be more attractive in bright and colourful
colours. I feel that the design of the playground should also be appealing. By
doing this, more children would be attracted to it and would also
enjoy playing in the playground.

I also suggest that we need some playgrounds for the abused children with emotional scars too. However, we do not need to build more playgrounds but instead, we can add some extra features like musical instruments and whiteboard to it. Thank you for taking time reading this feedback. I hope you will look into it.

Yours sincerely,
Shermaine Wee
Student of Pasir Ris Secondary School

Feedbacks about the playground in Tampines

2008-06-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Write a letter to the Minister of National Development, Member of Tampines GRC,
Mr Mah Bow Tan, providing him with feedback about the playgrounds in Tampines
and suggestions to improve them (e.g. make them more Need-sensitive). You may
include findings from your Playground Project to support your points. Your
letter should be about 200-250 words long and you may want to include the
following:

- What your project was about and your findings (briefly)
- how this led you to reflect on the playgrounds in your neighborhood
-
your feedback about playgrounds in Tampines
- suggestions on how they can be
improved

Feedback about the playgrounds in Tampines

Block 426 Tampines Street 41
#08-425
Singapore 520426

1/7/2008

Isabelle Tan

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister of National Development
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Mr Mah Bow Tan,

I am a student from Pasir Ris Secondary School. My group members and I have came up with some feedbacks and suggestions to improve the playgrounds in Tampines.

Our project requires us to design a 3D model based on discussed ideas of a playground for emotionally abused children. After some research on some therapies, and how they would benefit the children, we decided to build the playground based on a nature-like theme. Our researches have resulted in our decision of adding some special features such as built-in musical instruments and whiteboards on the wall of the playground.

During the project, we went to several playgrounds in the neighborhood for some ideas. On our hunt for ideas, we realized that most of the playgrounds in the area are appealing to children of all ages. But we also realized that the playgrounds are badly vandalized. We thought that maybe our idea of using whiteboards could help youngsters to relieve their problems and depressions in the form of drawings.

I hope you will consider our suggestion as this feature can help to add on to the appearance of the playground. Maybe we could repaint the playgrounds and add on more features like musical instruments and whiteboards as this would also benefit those emotionally scarred children. I thank you for reading this proposal and I hope you will consider our suggestions.

Yours Sincerely,
Isabelle Tan
Student of Pasir Ris Secondary School

Letter

2008-06-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

Block 426 Tampines Street 41
#08-425
Singapore 520426

1 July 2008

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister of National Development
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Mr Mah

Upgrading of Playground Facilities

In my opinion, Tampines is a beautiful place to be in, with many facilities that improve our standards of living here and is truly a pleasant place to be in under your expert leadership. But there are still ways to improve the playgrounds as they do not cater to much of the needs of emotionally scarred children.

I am suggesting that there should be facilities like a music corner, where there are little instruments like drums and so on for children to be able to express their emotions with musical instruments so they can feel freer of their emotions and feel happier with everything let out. Whiteboards too can be installed in the playgrounds so children can draw and write out their feelings and thoughts so they can make a stand and let others know how they feel.

The playgrounds should be painted in bright colours and cool colours as it makes people feel happy and relaxed. Dull colours would lower a person’s mood making them feel even sadder and depressed, so bright colours would make them feel happier, and cool colours would make them feel more relaxed and at peace, which is the best feeling a person should feel to improve any illnesses like being emotionally scarred.

Thank you for thanking the time to read my proposal and I sincerely hope that you would take some action in improving the playgrounds to cater for the need of the emotionally scarred.

Yours truly,
Sidney Soh
Student of Pasir Ris Secondary

Letter to MP

2008-06-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

Block 150 Simei Street
1#04-17
Singapore 520150

1 July 2008

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister of National Development
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Mr Mah

Upgrading of Playground Facilities

Tampines is a beautiful place and has the finest environment thanks to your help. It is pleasant to have a place like this in Singapore. I am writing to you to inform you of my opinions on the current playgrounds in the Tampines area. They are not providing enough facilities for children who are emotionally scarred and have certain needs. I have recently done a Literature Project in which we had to make a playground model with facilities that help children with emotional scars recover from their traumas. In our playground model, we included whiteboards for the children to express their emotions through art and music for venting their anger and creating music which stimulates the mind.

In order to make playgrounds in Tampines fun, safe and environmentally friendly, I suggest you use synthetic grass as the flooring to give it a natural feeling. It can also cushion their fall. Including a whiteboard is also a good idea as it has been scientifically proven that art can help someone express their emotions. Letting the children draw whatever they feel is a good way of helping them release their anger instead of keeping it all inside.

Music therapy is proven to help make children feel better as it soothes their minds. It will help with their condition and can make them open up their hearts. So I suggest that drums be fixed onto parts of the playground. It can also help them release all their anger. The playground should also be in bright colours. It will make them feel happy and relaxed. This way, they will be able to forget about their troubles and fears and gradually recover.

I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read this proposal. I hope you can take some action in improving the beautiful Tampines into an even more pleasant place to be.

Yours sincerely,
Rachel & Sidney
Students of Pasir Ris Secondary

Letter To MP- Ruzaini(36) 2E5

2008-06-30T21:18:00.001-07:00

Block 260 Tampines Street 21
#10-310
Singapore 520260

1 July 2008

Mr Mah Bow Tan
Minister for National Development
Member of Tampines GRC

Dear Mr. Mah

Upgrading of Playground Facilities

Playgrounds in Tampines have filled children’s childhood years thanks to your contribution. I write this letter to inform you of my opinions on the current neighbourhood playgrounds. My school literature project is about making a playground for the emotionally scarred children to help them recover from their trauma.

Our model has normal swings and slides and an in built whiteboard which allows them to express and let out their emotions which they keep to themselves. We also have a hopscotch which helps them hop their way to happiness and helps them built their self-esteem. Our playground is mainly based on music, art, toy, relaxation and communication therapy.

Growing up in Tampines, I had fun playing in the playground almost everyday. Through this project I realize that most of the playgrounds do not aid children who have emotional scars or who are handicapped. They mainly have bridges, slides and interactive features.

How they can be improved is by implementing other features which help these handicapped and emotionally scarred children gain back their happiness and built up their self-esteem. You could implement drums for them to beat and vent their anger to soothe and calm their senses. This is for the music therapy and for the art therapy, a whiteboard could be used to draw out their emotions and erasable crayons are available for them to draw on the floor or on the walls. There would also be interactive toys which can communicate and relate to them.

I hope you would be able to accept my ideas and opinions. Thank you for taking your time off your busy schedule to read this letter.

Yours faithfully
Ruzaini Bin Mohamed Ismail
Student of Pasir Ris Secondary School

2008-04-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Wow.. We are super tired! We just finished the model! And now we're here to show you what we've done. :D We are SO happy that we finally did it! :D

First pic: The materials. Second pic: The slide. Third pic: The sway bench.

First pic: The Climber. Second pic & Third pic: Whiteboards for drawing.

First pic: The bridge. Second pic: Another slide. Third pic: For climbing up.

First pic: We made the roof out of ice cream sticks. Second pic: We wanted to build the roof. Third pic: Hopscotch.

Both pics: Me trying out.

First pic: Glueing it. Second pic: Hurray! I did the roof! :D

First pic: A closer view. Second pic: Isabelle fixing another roof!

Both pics: This is done by Isabelle.

Both pics: Finally done with the roof! :D

First pic: Snowy(Shermaine's dog) Sometimes he disturbs us):

Second pic: Poor me! )': I got scalded by the hot gluegun.. It's extremely painful ):

First pic: What a mess! Second pic: The half-completed playground! Third pic: Taking a break(:

First pic: Monster coming to attack our model! Ahh~ Second pic: Isabelle playing with the monster. Third pic: Isabelle outlining the smiley faces.

Snowy look so funny! :D And Isabelle still taking another break :D

Now, for the painting of the playground's floor! :D We use paint :D Like duh~

First pic: The track ride. Second pic: The inside of the little treehouse.

Now, halfway painting the floor!

Still doing :D Wow this is more tiring than what we expected. Haha!

Second pic: Still doing.... and doing... and doing.......... *Yawn...*

Ahhhhh! My fingers are green! ):

First pic: The model from top view.

YAYYYYYYYYY! WE FINALLY DID IT! We were extremely happy!! It's like finally!!!!!!!! (As you can see, the sky is super super dark. It's very late already. Because of this project we stayed up late almost everytime when we did it. We really feel very happy when we finally completed the model. I hope you'll like it. Cause we really do :D)

GOODBYE & NIGHTS PPL! see lah, now already 12:44AM! ): Poor us.

Credits: Isabelle Tan and Shermaine Wee! ♥
Photographer: Mostly is Shermaine but Isabelle did took some too! :D
And my handphone did auto timer and took the last photo! :D
HURRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! WE FINALLY DID IT!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

2008-04-27T07:44:00.000-07:00

one turbo slide - $419.75
one rave slide - $234.75
swing(the swing down thing) - $44.95
rope ladder - $32.75
bringe - $52.45
2 roofs - $133.85 x 2
screws, pipes and jointers - 43.85
1 set of drums - $15.25
pegasus(musical instrument) - $580.80
surfacing- $1.90 per square foot. $1.90 x 600 = $1140
bridge - $34.85
hop-scotch - $0.00
bench - $53.50
8 panels - $13.30 x 8
2 platforms - $22.75 x 2
Playground cost = $3072.50

2008-04-24T08:37:00.000-07:00

After the exams, we went to Shermaine house and did the model.
We couldn't finished the whole model as it was already 10.15 pm.
Luckily, we managed to complete at least half of the playground.
We want to take this chance to apologise for the late work. :C

Shermaine at work in her house!

Discussing how we should paste the sticks.

Isabelle at work. HAHHAZ, you can see that she's very tired

cuz she was having a high fever, as high as 39.5 degrees, that time.

After so many times of pasting and toppling down of the stand, finally, it managed to stand on its own. There wasn't so many photos taken of the playground as we were too busy and serious making it.

Photographer for the day: Lee Jia Le Clarice & Shermaine! :D

-Lee Jia Le Clarice (1)

2008-04-21T07:13:00.001-07:00

For our 3D Model, we came up with a list of materials we'll be using:

Flooring (base) -- Styrofoam board
Structure -- Ice cream sticks
Decorations & Features -- Coloured papers and cardboards
Shade -- Translucent sheet

Some ideas for our 3D Model:

Fold papers to make music instruments
Use cardboards to create the slide (Cut and paste)
Cut-up pieces of ice cream sticks and strings (eg. rafia strings) for our bridge
Bendable wires for our climbers
White pieces of papers for whiteboard (art therapy)

Done by,
Shermaine (6), Clarice (1), Isabelle (9)

2008-04-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly features about my group’s 3D-model Remarks (e.g. materials to be used, relevant research with links, photograph links etc):
The flooring is made up of Synthetic Turf Safety Surfacing. It is safe and it will give the playground a feel of nature. And it looks good too. We're using wood as the material for the playground as it also gives a natural feel and it will look like its old like a forest. Just like Terabithia.

*************************************************************************************

Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel. Explanation of how the designs/concepts are linked to the novel:
Just like in Terabithia, there is a swing. There is a bridge in the playground. Just like Terabithia. The musical instruments like the drums will be plastic. And the swing will be like a normal swing, made of metal.

*************************************************************************************

Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children Explanation of how the designs meet the special needs of the children:
Music therapy is proven to help make children feel better as it soothes their minds. It will help with their condition and can make them open up their hearts. Relaxation therapy makes them feel more relaxed, and it helps them to forget the cruel past and enjoy the present. Toy therapy is useful as children like to play with toys if it’s the right type. Bright coloured toys make them feel happy and light, so it is the best kindof toy to offer them. Play therapy makes people have fun, they will feel better and not dwell on unhappy stuff. Grass gives off a natural feeling which soothes people’s minds and helps them feel relax like they're out in a natural environment. Art therapy can help them release their anger and emotional hurt. They can vent it all out through art. It will make them feel better. Communication helps them to open up and talk about how they feel and that will help them to overcome their fears.

DONE BY RACHEL TAN (11) 2e5

2008-04-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly features about my group’s 3D-model Remarks (e.g. materials to be used, relevant research with links, photograph links etc):
- The flooring is made up of Synthetic Turf Safety Surfacing. Which provides a safer environment and it is an eco-friendly object.

*************************************************************************************

Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel. Explanation of how the designs/concepts are linked to the novel:
- We built a swing relating to the swing Leslie and Jess always swing to enter Terabithia.
- There is a bridge connecting the two playgrounds, and in the end, Jess built a bridge that linked to Terabithia.

*************************************************************************************

Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children Explanation of how the designs meet the special needs of the children:
- Music therapy is proven to help make children feel better as it soothes their minds
- Relaxation therapy makes them feel more relaxed, and it feels nice
- Toy therapy is useful as children like to play with toys if it’s the right type. Bright types make them feel happy and light, so
it is the best kindof toy to offer them
- Play therapy makes people have fun, they will feel better.Grass Gives off a natural feeling which soothes people’s minds
- Art therapy allows them to vent their anger by drawing out anything they want. And what they draw has a different meaning. It is the same as how they express their feelings towrds others. This also encourages them to talk to others to express how they feel as others could help them understand the world better and they can help them better.

By: Ruzaini 2e5

2008-04-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly features about my group's 3D-model
Remarks (e.g. materials to be used, relevant research with links, photograph links etc)
We have decided to use ice cream sticks for the structure of the playground and styrofoam board wrapped with newspaper as the base of the playground

Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel
Explanation of how the designs/concepts are linked to the novel
In the novel, Terabithia is situated in a forest, accessible only by a swing rope by the river. We have decided to use a track ride for swinging from one place to another, just like what Jess and Leslie did in the story. The playground also have a nature-like look, as we want to bring out the essence of the story into the playground. A bridge is also constructed to show that the forest could be accesed by another route.

Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children
Explanation of how the designs meet the special needs of the children
Features like drums and other musical instrument will be added to the plaground to allow the children as to improve the current condition of the children (music therapy). White boards will be attatched to the walls of the playground so that the children can express their feelings and emotions into drawings. In a way, it could help to release their bottled up emotions without telling anyone (art therapy). Sway benches are constructed as a form of relaxation for the children after long hours of playing. A painted signboard with the words, "Nothing crushes us" will be put up to improve the self esteem of the child and also reminds him/her of how Jesse Aarons overcome his own problems and difficulties. Grass will be used as the flooring of the playground as it gives a very natural feel.

By, Isabelle Tan (9)
2E5 forever (:

2008-04-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly features about my group's 3D-model
Remarks (e.g. materials to be used, relevant research with links, photograph links etc)
- We plan to use ice cream sticks for some features of the playground.
- We plan to use translucent sheet as the shade above the playground.
- We also used a styrofoam board as the base of the whole playground.
- We also suggest that we use newspaper as the covering of the ground.

Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel
Explanation of how the designs/concepts are linked to the novel
- We added a signboard saying "NOTHING CRUSHES US!" just like the movie. This also improves the self esteem of the child. They would remember that they can overcome any problems just like Jesse Aarons in the novel. We wanted a Track ride to be in the playground because it is like the rope that Jesse Aarons & Leslie Burke used to swing to Terabithia. And they will use the Track ride to swing to the playground where there is fun. We wanted a have a shade above the playground so as it will act as the shades of the trees in Terabithia. We added climbers too as it is like the shape of the vines. When they are climing up the climber they would have a feel of like climbing the trees. Since the novel is 'Bridge to Terabithia', we wanted to add a bridge in the playground too.

Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children
Explanation of how the designs meet the special needs of the children
- Musical Therapy is used to encourage emotional expression so we added some instruments (drums, etc) in the playground because it helps to improve the condition of the children. It also promotes social interaction, relieve symtoms and stimulate the mind. We added whiteboards in some parts of the playground so the children can express themselves in many different art forms and colours by drawing. We had this sway-bench for relaxation after playing for long. The children will feel better when they are relaxed and they will feel carefree and also less tensed. We have a four seater Buck-A-Bout instead of two because this allows more children to interact with each other. We wanted a shade above the playground so that when there is hot afternoon sun they would not feel hot and instead they will feel cool and continue happily playing.

DONE BY SHERMAINE WEE (6) OF 2E5! :D

2008-04-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly features about my group's 3D-model
Remarks (e.g. materials to be used, relevant research with links, photograph links etc)
We plan to use newspaper to be used as the flooring of the 3D model. We also used ice-creams sticks for the metal bars and the swinging bar.

Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel
Explanation of how the designs/concepts are linked to the novel
In the book, Jesse Aarons and Leslie Burke uses rope to swing to their kingdom. Hence in out plauground, we decided to use the swinging bar to indicate that they are swinging to the Terabithia which is the playground. We also have added shades to act as the trees just like the book, Bridge To Terabithia had. We got an idea of having a bridge which inspires from the title and the contents of the book. The bridge to Terabithia was built by Jesse Aarons at the end of the story. To connect both our playground and the story, we choose to have a bridge-like playground.

Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children
Explanation of how the designs meet the special needs of the children
We will install some music instruments into the playground. It helps the children by Music Therapy which is used to encourage emotional expression, promote social interaction, relieve symptoms, stimulate the mind and many more other purposes. We also plan to have some parts of the playground to allow the children to write and draw what they wanted. This is the Art Therapy. It lets them express themselves in the many different art forms and colours. We also have some features like the sway bench and the hopscotch to relax the childen. This Relaxation Therapy makes everyone feels better, so they can feel less tensed and more carefree.

- Lee Jia Le Clarice (1)
2E5

2008-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

Eco-friendly features about my group’s 3D-model Remarks (e.g. materials to be used, relevant research with links, photograph links etc):

- We used ice cream sticks, which is quite eco-friendly.
- We used old newspaper as the base as it is being recycled in this way, instead of being thrown into the dustbin.

*************************************************************************************

Playground designs/concepts that are linked to the novel. Explanation of how the designs/concepts are linked to the novel:

- You must swing on the track ride to get into the playground, just like how Jess
and Leslie had to swing across to get the
playground into Terabithia.
- There is a bridge connecting the two playgrounds, and in the end, Jess built a
bridge that linked to Terabithia.
- Our playground is in a form of a treehouse, so its is just like the playground in
Terabithia.
- We used grass, as grass has a natural feeling like Terabithia.

*************************************************************************************

Playground designs/concepts that meet the special needs of the children Explanation of how the designs meet the special needs of the children:

- Music therapy, which are the musical insturments, is proven to help make children feel better as it soothes their minds
- Toy therapy, which are the toys, is useful as children like to play with toys if
it’s the right type. Bright, happy and cheerful
toys are the best types of toys to offer them as it make them feel happy and light.
- Play therapy, which is the whole playground itself, makes the children have fun,
and they will feel better.
- Relaxation therapy, which is the resting area, destresses the childen if they are
under too much stress and pressure, so they can relax and unwind.
- Art theapy, which is the walls that can be drawn on in the playgound, lets the
children vent their anger and also see bright colours, as bright colours make a
person feel happy.
- Bright colours will be used to make the playground as children like bright colours
as it makes them feel happy and cheerful.
- Wood is a natural thing which makes people feel more in touch with the natural
things in life, and natural things are good in a way as it feels more safe, which
is mainly what abused children would want to feel.
- Grass is also a natural thing which makes people feel more in touch with the
natural things in life, and natural things are good in a way as it feels more
safe, which is mainly what abused children would want to feel.

Sidney Soh(8), 2e5
***************************************The End***************************************

2008-04-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

MATERALS! :D

Ropes
Visually attractive Stainless Steel Reinforced Polyester or Nylon Ropes provide excellent grip while being soft to the touch.
Bright colours ensure ropes are easy to see to prevent tripping and to assist development of spatial awareness. Highly durable and vandal resistant Playforce ropes are of a specific diameter to meet with the British and European safety standards for playground equipment.

Coloured Granulated Rubber
Coloured Granulated Rubber is used for our rubber step posts which uniquely accompany the majority of our timber trail items as standard. The granulated rubber texture provides good grip to reduce slipping and are impact absorbent so are very forgiving. Made from recycled car tyres Playforce reuses a material that would otherwise be sent to landfill.

Acrylic
Translucent coloured plastic sheet which is made into a variety of interesting shapes which feature on Playforce Playground equipment. The Bright colours add visual stimulus to a playground. When a child looks through the coloured acrylic they see their world in a new and unusual way. The acrylic also casts coloured shadows onto the ground which move in relationship to the sun.

TIMBER Round and Rectangular section
All Playforce timber is Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified. The FSC logo allows consumers worldwide to recognize products that support the growth of responsible forest management worldwide.

Machined round timber sections are Play Guard Radiata Softwood. Rectangular sections are planed all round (PAR) Softwood. Both types of Playforce timber are quality assured and feature a sanded finish to reduce splintering and create surfaces which are smooth and warm to the touch.

All Playforce timber requires no further treatments as it is pressure treated with Tanalith E preservative to protect it against rot and the natural weathering process. Tanalith E is added to the wood to increase its fitness for purpose and protects against fungal decay and insect attack. Impregnated into the timber, the treatment becomes fixed within the wood and does not leach out.

Shiplap Roofing
With an attractive natural appearance Shiplap is a timber board which interlocks with its neighbour much like floor boards. The resulting roof construction is water resistant and blocks virtually all UV radiation. The shiplap is pressure treated like all Playforce timber and is FSC certified.

Polycarbonate Roofing
A roofing option which blocks virtually all UV radiation while allowing light through, preventing dark spaces underneath. Completely water proof when combined with guttering, this system can create real usable spaces for outdoor learning all year round. The translucent sheet material has good impact resistance essential for use in areas which are close to ball games.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Panels
Durable and colourful plastic panels with multiple coloured layers. The bright contrasting colours highlight steps, hand grips, entrances and exits to make it clear to children the path to follow.

Engraving patterns, shapes and games through one coloured layer into the next creates additional visual stimulus and increased opportunities for play. This unique material will not rot, delaminate, splinter or crack and is stain and graffiti resistant. Requires minimal maintenance and has UV stable colours. Once the panels have reached the end of their usable life it is recyclable.

High Pressure Laminate (HPL) Panels
Wipe clean and weather proof HPL is constructed from Layers of coloured Kraft paper (60%) impregnated with a phenolic resin (40%) and formed into sheets under heat and pressure. This highly durable material which is rot and vandal resistant is then machined into chalk boards and other playground equipment components.

Shade Cloth
Knitted shade cloth especially designed for tension structures. It has the ability to block 95% of the sun’s direct UV rays creating a safer outdoor environment which can be utilised for longer.

The knitted structure of the cloth allows the fabric to breathe, which means air can circulate through the fabric to create a substantially cooler environment beneath. With its unique lock-stitch construction it is dimensionally stable and is fray and tear resistant and will not mould or mildew. UV stable so will withstand year after year of harsh sun rays. It is the world’s most widely used shade cloth.
Stainless Steel
304 Grade Stainless Steel better known as food grade is used for Playforce components including handrails, brackets and fireman’s poles in outdoor play areas.

As like knifes and forks Playforce stainless steel components do not need painting or treating to prevent them rusting. Featuring an attractive brushed finish the stainless steel components are visually attractive and smooth to the touch

Fixings
Vandal and weather resistant fixings combine steel nuts, bolts and screws for strength with the additional protection of a male and female plastic snap lock cap.

The cap provides a cover to protect the fixings from the elements and vandals increasing the lifespan of the equipment.

Hexigrip
FSC certified laminated Birch plywood with a phenolic film surface embossed with a hexagonal texture. This combination of features provides a water resistant, anti slip board ideal for decks and floors.

Although the texture is anti slip it is not abrasive so protects children’s clothes from wear
and tear when sitting and rolling around on the playground equipment.

Play Deck
Play deck is a strong recycled polyethylene board featuring a top surface layer of thermoplastic rubber. The rubber surface provides excellent anti slip properties.

Environmentally friendly and easy to clean, Play deck is unaffected by moisture and requires virtually no maintenance.

2008-04-07T17:14:00.001-07:00

Synthetic Turf Safety Surfacing

GT Turf is an engineered grass product designed to bring the look of nature to your play environment. Unlike real grass, it offers height appropriate impact attenuation, while providing the appearance of a beautiful lawn. Unlike lawn, however, GT Turf never needs mowing. We have turf solutions that are designed for either play space or stadium applications, with or without infill requirements, and maintenance will vary by type selected. GT Turf is available in a selection of grass varieties, so it’s easy to choose one that fits with your region! Properly installed it offers adequate drainage, and offers great impact attenuation, long wear, and ADA accessibility in playground applications.

We decided to use this flooring as it is safe and it gives the children a sense of security. And we want the children to get in touch with nature. (:

2008-04-07T07:44:00.000-07:00

I was thinking, besides all these drums and instruments, we can also have features like this too! (:

It is something like a piano. On top of it, there are some songs where the children can follow and learn how to play. I think this would be a good idea too as this improves the condition of the abused children.

:D Pictures of slides that we took:

But we decided to have the second slide (red) than the first one (yellow) in our playground. As it would be more fun to play on. (:

2008-04-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the sketches of a suitable playground done by us:

We apologise as the sketches are not clear enough :(
--------------------------------------------------------------------

We were all discussing about what features we should use for our final playground.
After discussing what features should be added in, we worked on our final sketch of the playground! :D

NOW WE PRESENT YOU, our final sketch! :D

We joined up 3 papers as 1 paper is not enough for us to draw the whole playground.
We will definitely draw a much better sketch. With colours added in too. (:

After drawing the final sketch, we decided to start on our model.

For now, the materials that we're using are:

Styrofoam board!

Ice cream Sticks!

Glue! (:

So we began to build the Track Ride with ice cream sticks with stick them together with glue.

This is one of the playground's feature done.

Btw it is like this:
(Track Ride)

That's all for now!

2008-03-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

another playground :)

2008-03-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

I would love to build this playground as it has musical instruments like drums which helps the child to vent their anger and express their feelings in a healthier way and it also helps
in the development and the music therapy.
I think music therapy is the most effective for kids who have had an dark past as music stimulates the mind and soul.

It helps the children to forget about the past and get over it and move on to a better and brighter future. In this way the child would be able to develop a sense of security and that having a dark past does not mean they cannot change
their life for the better. :)

2008-03-31T04:22:00.000-07:00

SOME FEATURES :D

It’s important that we help children to enjoy outdoor fun more safely.

We have some ideas of the shades:

List Price: US $20,621

List Price: US $10,178

In the book of Bridge Of Terabithia, they had tress which served as a shade at the kingdom. The shades above can act like the trees in the book.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the book Terabithia, they uses rope to swing to their kingdom. In our playground, ropes are too dangerous, hence we decided to use the safer way to indicate that they are swinging to their kingodm which is the playground.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Based on traditional African and Caribbean instruments, these objects provides rhythmic, tonal and vocal options to create musical expressions while at play. The instruments can be placed surrounding the playground or around the playground. These objects are examples of music therapy which helps to improve the condition of the abused children.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have some ideas of the bridges:

The ideas of having a bridge came from the title and the contents of the book. The bridge to Terabithia was built by Jesse Aarons at the end of the story. To connect both our playground and the story, we choose to have a bridge-like playground.

It is used for relaxation after a long hours of playing.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Hopscotch) Other games that the children can play.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Some ideas of the slide:

I would want this curvy slide! It looks fun as it could allow me to turn rounds and rounds in the slide.

This straight slide has a bumpy feeling when playing it!

This playground has a treehouse which allows people to take rest when they were too tired. It also includes a climber which looks fun too!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Climber:

This climber may look dangerous but it is fun to play as it gives you a bumpy feeling too!~
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Four Seat Buck-A-Bout w/Coil Spring >

This four seater Buck-A-Bout looks real fun! I can play this with my friends and we can chat while we are playing with this!

2008-03-31T03:25:00.000-07:00

Pictures of a playground.

Personally, I like about the layout of the playground. The slides which uses two slides combining together are fun as my friends and I could slide together at the same time. There is also nets for us to climb the top which allow me to experience the feeling to look at things at the top view.

Suggestions.

We could add a shade over the playground.
We could even have a hopscotch somewhere.

2008-03-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

IDEAS FOR THE PLAYGROUND. :D

Treehouse
Shade
Swing (for resting/relaxing)
Bridge
Musical objects (encourage emotional expressions)
Toys (settle their nerves)
Objects for drawing (express their feelings)

2008-03-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

Team members: Ruzaini, Sidney, Isabelle, Clarice, Rachel and Shermaine
Target group for playground: Abused children with emotional scars :(
Brief description of playground: The theme of our playground is music, toys, communication and art. All these help the abused children concentrate on playing and forget about their dark past. Music stimulates the mind and soul, this helps in the development of the child. Toys are included as a therapy to let them know that there is someone out there to help and lend them a listening ear. Art helps them to express their feelings in colourings, drawings. Like art, communication also helps the child to express their feelings, but in words. Through communication, the child could improve the way they socialise with others.

Leader: Ruzaini
Secretary: Shermaine
Research I/C: Sidney
Design I/C: Rachel
Presenter I/C: Isabelle
Builder I/C: Clarice

2008-03-24T18:05:00.001-07:00

There are also ways to treat abused children like:
1)Music Therapy
-is used to encourage emotional expression, promote social interaction, relieve symptoms, stimulate the mind and many more other purposes.

2)Toy Therapy

3)Communication Therapy
-talking to them in forms positive words like praises and words of encouragement help make the child feel better about themselves and might open up to other people

4)Art Therapy
-let them express themselves in the many different art forms and colours.

5)Play Therapy
-play therapy is a type of mental health or developmental intervention which is designed to help children grow up as happy and well-adjusted as possible. It utilizes play, children’s natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words. Play allows children a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows them to express their true thoughts and feelings in ways best suited to their developmental level.

6)Relaxation Therapy
-everyone feels better when relaxed, so they can feel less tensed and more carefree.

2008-03-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

There are many types of abuse which is very common in any countries:

-Physical Abuse
which involves physical injury to a child that is non-accidental, and includes violence, choking, poisoning, burning, scalding and many more.

-Sexual Abuse
which involves sexual activity with a child by an adult, includes suggestive or inappropriate behaviour or comments directed towards a child's private parts or unexposed areas.

-Emotional Abuse
is the behaviour by a parent or caregiver that destroys a child's confidence in themselves. For instance, children are constantly told they are no good or worthless, continually rejected and shown no affection, subjected to constant verbal abuse and threats, or punished by being locked up alone or denied friends or social activities.

-Physical Neglect
is when a child does not receive adequate food, shelter, medical care or supervision.