The playground at Heilig Hartinstituut Heverlee has long been dominated by concrete, creating a stark environment for the primary school children. Beton, beton en nog eens beton — this was the reality until recent changes began to reshape the space. On 2025-05-05 14:49:00, the school community reflected on how this hard, cold surface affected daily play and safety.
- Beton domineerde speelplaats Heilig Hartinstituut Heverlee
- Speelplaats was harde, kille vlakte
- Meester Pieter Vandenweyer beschrijft speelplaatservaring
- Kinderen vielen vaak op asfalt
- Speelplaatsomgeving veroorzaakte soms ruwe situaties
Master Pieter Vandenweyer from the 6th grade described the playground as not only physically hard, causing injuries when children fell on the asphalt, but also emotionally tough, with play sometimes turning rough. How can a school transform such a space to better support children’s wellbeing and creativity?
Addressing these concerns is crucial for fostering a nurturing environment. Let’s explore the impact of the playground’s design and what changes could benefit the children most.
Why does the playground’s surface matter so much? A hard, concrete playground can increase injury risks and limit imaginative play. Schools across Belgium face similar challenges in balancing durability with child-friendly design. Key points to consider include:
- Concrete surfaces can cause physical harm during falls and discourage active play.
- Emotional climate on the playground can be affected by the environment’s harshness.
- Innovative redesigns can promote safer, more inclusive play experiences.
Looking ahead, Heilig Hartinstituut Heverlee’s initiative could inspire other Belgian schools to rethink their playgrounds. Could this be the start of a nationwide move towards more child-friendly outdoor spaces? It’s time to prioritize play areas that nurture both body and mind.
