Ball Pits: Play Area Or ClassroomÂ
When a person thinks of a ball pit they generally think of a fun time for kids to jump around and play with their friends. However, few people know the educational and developmental benefits of ball pits for children. “Ball pits provide children with many opportunities to enrich their learning. Because of our growing attachment to technology and our devices, it’s becoming more difficult to get kids to play outside and use equipment such as ball pits and we are forgetting how important these activities are,” says Kylie-Jane Shannon, the owner of Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre.
Young children enjoy playing in ball pits, they will normally dive in and have fun. Babies and young kids are immediately attracted to anything that rolls and it holds their attention, which helps with their development. Playing in ball bits helps children to strengthen their muscles and throwing and rolling the balls helps them to develop their fine motor skills. It is also a good opportunity for sensory play for young children. As they move through the balls it provides them with a sense of calm. Walking through and over the balls will also help children to start to build their balance skills. Playing in ball pits with other children helps them to develop their social skills too. Each child will find something exciting about a ball pit, whether it is the bright colours of the balls or to discover what it’s like to throw and catch the balls. This will also help children stimulate creativity and imagination as they create their own games.
There are many reasons for children to play with balls. The simple act of rolling, kicking, catching or throwing a ball helps children improve their motor skills, hand-eye coordination and timing, which are all an important part of the developmental process for children. Playing in a ball pit will also help children develop their language skills and teach them how to negotiate with others. Ball pits also help children to be expressive as well as release their energy and tension. The skills learnt in the ball pit will help children progress to cooperative and competitive play as they get older.
While some types of play may seem irrelevant or not necessary, many children’s games and activities have a substantial effect on their development, and their development as a child has a substantial effect on how there life could be as an adult,” says Kylie. Besides a ball pit, there are many ways parents can include ball play into their children’s play routine. They can simply buy them a little ball and play a one-on-one game or they could find specifically designed ball games to enhance their child’s development,” adds Kylie.
Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre has an amazing ball pit facility for children as well as other facilities that support children’s development. It’s the perfect facility for parents to take their little ones out for a day of fun but also for a day of building developmental skills!
Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre continues to dedicate its expertise and delight to serving families within the town of Wallan, Victoria.
Check out their full range of services and current featured promotions at junglekids.com.au.Visit their Facebook page to view all their activities and special offerings. Jungle Kids Indoor Play Centre is open seven (7) days a week and is open until 5:00pm on weekdays during the school holidays.
As part of their Play-all-day Single Admission, adults and babies attend free of charge. 12 months to 3 years old attend at $8.50 and 4 years old to 12 years old attend at $10.00.
Written and syndicated by: YDMA News
