We believe that enriched outdoor play at recess supports students and staff well-being, improves student learning and achievement, and transforms school culture.
Play is a right of every child, along with leisure and recreational activities.
A growing body of research suggests that play has both immediate and long-term benefits to children’s health and wellbeing.
Children should be able to experience play to the fullest in school environments. Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) is a play provision training program that is designed to protect a child’s right to play, particularly at elementary schools.
OPAL transforms attitudes to play provision, supervision and risk management.
It encourages schools to use “loose parts” to enrich and diversify the play offering.
If you had a chance to come by the field area during regular school hours, you may have noticed students building forts, standing and balancing on large wood spools, swinging from tire swings, and engaging in pool-noodle sword play. These are just some of OPAL loose parts made available to students each and everyday. Loose parts are an invitation to play, which naturally provokes students to create, explore, and construct anything they can imagine.
Teachers and staff supervise play and encourage students to always consider the following when playing with others:
- Is it safe for everyone?
- Is it fun for everyone?
- Is everyone that wants to play included?
Some of Humewood’s Grade 5 to 7 students wanted to share their knowledge and experience with OPAL with our younger students, and ones new to the Humewood community. With Mme. Rutherford’s guidance and support, they collaborated to create an OPAL PSA (public service announcement) that explains OPAL rules and provides keystone conflict resolution strategies for common playground conflicts.