Watch out, camera on the roundabout!

Location: Elementary School Vrhovci
Date of performance: may — october 2017
Performer: Pazi!park Association, Studio Senca, architectural office Štrukelj
Authors and contributors: Andreja Štrukelj Sinčič, Martin Turk, Urška Kranjc, Meta Petrič, Gaja Trbižan, Maša Šorn
The project is co-financed by the City of Ljubljana, neighbourhood community Rožnik

In the spring of 2017, the Pazi!Park Association again carried out the Watch out, camera with which, together with the children, it analyzes the open school space and finds out how the users – the children – see it. Students from the second triad of the Vrhovci Elementary School participated. They used their phones to record a lot of interesting comments about the open space of the school, large and small playgrounds, woods, sports fields, a small atrium next to the school lobby and also the parking lot. At the end they put together a short film with director Martin Turk.

In addition to the way of playing, the children also revealed their impressions and sometimes emotional reactions through the recordings. They showed how their independent play takes place, what kind of game they decide for themselves and how they play in a group, when and how much they are willing to take risks, what they learn, how they deal with social complications, dangers, temptation and similar situations. They pay close attention to activities that are prohibited, to which they respond differently.

The phenomenon of “play” is considered to be free, imaginative. Man or. the child plays when he chooses or determines what he will do, so it is understandable that children like to test the limits of what is allowed and judge for themselves when something is safe enough for them to try. A simple slide is especially often used by older children for climbing upwards rather than for descending downhill. The climbing wall is the best toy because they can “walk” around it and the old swing that is thrown in the bush is “cool”, because they can talk in peace there.

The game complements the formal school curriculum, so opportunities for quality play are an integral part of a stimulating learning environment. Through play, children communicate and socialize, learn about roles and relationships in society, test and improve their physical ability, strengthen health, expand their creativity and logical thinking… Playing makes children happier and allows them to develop into adults with many physical, social, emotional and developmental abilities.

You are invited to watch a short film about what the students of Vrhovci Primary School think about the school playground!