What is the immediate picture that comes to mind when we think of a playground? Most certainly an environment that is care-free, high-spirited and bursting forth with life. Play is often dismissed as an optional activity – an ‘extra’ – but nothing could be further from the truth. A playground, in reality, is but nature’s colourful classroom that proffers monumental learning occasions to children of all ages. When questioned why they enjoy running, jumping, swinging, and sliding, kids often reply with, “because it’s fun”, but the benefits of play go beyond just making the heart merry. Let’s look at some of them –

• Play allows kids to stay physically fit and healthy. While playing, kids not only develop reflexes, movement controls, and motor skills but also build stronger muscles and bone density, and improved heart and lung function
• Besides the palpable physical benefits, play also has three major internal benefits – building the child’s self-confidence, allowing them to experiment with different emotions, and purging of traumatic emotions
• Through play, children develop various cognitive skills like language, reasoning, decision-making and problem-solving
• Finally, spending most of their breaks and recess time in the playground with fellow schoolmates inculcates important values in children – inclusion, companionship, and teamwork In a nutshell, play allows kids to “put their learning into practice.”

We at GANDHI BAL VIDHYA NIKETAN SR SEC SCHOOL believe that play is not discrete from education, but an indispensable part of it. Our campus has been designed keeping in mind the children’s play needs. It is equipped with a standard indoor sports complex that includes a six-lane swimming pool, a gymnasium, playgrounds, game courts, and parklands. Outdoor sports such as swimming, lawn tennis, table tennis, squash, basketball, cricket, football, athletics, badminton, and yoga are offered. Children are trained for intra and inter-school tournaments, even District and National Level competitions by zealous and professional coaches.