Fostering Community Connection: The Profound Social Impact of Community Play Spaces
Creating community play spaces isn’t just about assembling swings and slides; it’s an artful endeavour that weaves together the threads of social connection, childhood development, and communal well-being.
Unlocking Playful Potential: Choosing the Right Playground for Your School
Play is a fundamental aspect of childhood development, fostering physical, social, and cognitive growth.
Guardians of Play: Navigating the Crucial Role of Safety Standards in Children’s Playground Equipment
In the kaleidoscopic world of childhood, where giggles resonate and boundless imaginations take flight, the playground stands as a sacred arena. A space where children scamper, and joyous laughter intertwines with the rustling leaves.
Accidents vs Negligence: Understanding the difference!
‘Play’ provides an opportunity for children to develop motor, cognitive, perceptual and social skills. Unfortunately, playgrounds are often the sites of accidental injuries. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 injuries to children occur on playgrounds each year, of which almost 60% are related to the equipment installed at the playgrounds. Such glaring figures are certainly a call for the attention of all stakeholders. It is imperative to foresee, anticipate and plan the prevention of injuries and accidents. From the very start, due diligence ensures selection and usage of the ‘right’ product. The top five causes associated specifically with the management/ organization that can often amount to negligence are broadly listed as: Inadequate research and understanding of needs Poor equipment design sensibility Failure to comply with international safety standards Incorrect installation due to lack of technical expertise Absence of inspection and maintenance Promoters will always be liable and held responsible (many times personal) for what happens at the project venues. Clearly, the safety and well-being of children is a non-negotiable premise that cannot be ignored. There are a few pointers that could assist in appropriate decision making while choosing playground equipment: 1. Opt for certified playground equipment manufacturers – The certification standard for playground equipment is EN1176 and is recognized globally. Any equipment certified by a recognized body such as TUV, IPEMA, SGS or equivalent is considered to be ‘play-safe’ and has passed stringent tests of durability, safety, and quality. 2. Obtain professional design and layout advice While this is the last piece that is considered in a huge project, it is a big part of design and layout. It’s important to plan the area for installation, provide sufficient space and accommodate all requirements. 3. Professional installation Ensure that equipment is installed by competent professionals in accordance with EN1176; A wrong installation can prove detrimental in the long run for users. 4. Inspection of playground and equipment regularly Inspect the equipment on a weekly or monthly basis for any wear and tear due to frequent usage. Alert supervision, prompt action if any issues are noticed and follow-ups are crucial. 5. Equipment Maintenance Tie up with the equipment manufacturer for an effective maintenance program which repairs faults quickly. Children will be children, they will jump, push, pull and hurt themselves too. However, understanding the fine line between accidents and negligence can reduce mishaps. We urge awareness of the above in making the right choice, whilst planning a warm friendly safe environment for children to play and grow in. We are changing the way this world plays: Our mission is actualized with every responsible action.
Safety Floorings – A Smart Solution for Playground Injuries
Children love being outdoors with their friends and indulge in various forms of play. Although outdoor play and exercise is an important part of growing up, parents today worry about their children being injured during such activities. Koochie Global has been recognized as a global supplier of safe playground equipment. We understand the need to introduce a secure and immersive environment where they can play unrestrained, without fear of any injury. We have introduced top-of-the-line safety flooring solutions to prevent any playground mishaps and accidents. During play, children are susceptible to falls and bruises. Hence, playground safety becomes paramount, to alleviate the risk of serious accidents. This is the primary reason for installing safety flooring. Secondly, the overall appearance of the area becomes quite vibrant and beautiful. Moreover, colourful environments encourage play and foster learning. Koochie Global’s safety flooring has been tested in accordance with international standards; namely BS 7188 and BS EN 1177 and have passed the requirements of flammability, durability, slip resistance and indentation. Recently awarded the Best Company in Safety Flooring Solutions by CIA World Construction, we strongly advocate the use of our flooring along with our playground equipment as it leads to a safe, hygienic and durable play area. When you think of safe playground areas, think Koochie Global!
Creating inclusive play areas because everyone is exclusive! – Playground Equipment Suppliers
Creating inclusive play areas because everyone is exclusive! – Playground Equipment Suppliers We at KOOCHIE Global are excited to branch out and foray into ‘Inclusive Play Areas’ that can potentially nurture interaction and can truly unite a community. Moreover, these play spaces are designed to encourage children of all physical and cognitive abilities to play, learn and grow together. It is our honest opinion that outdoor play is an integral part of a child’s development and should be encouraged. At KOOCHIE Global, we are in alignment with the ‘UN Convention’ on the rights of a child to leisure, play and participate in cultural and artistic activities. With inclusive parks and playgrounds, we aim to provide such an environment that is not only child-friendly and secure but provides an equal opportunity to all . One such special feature is the wheelchair accessibility that recognises differences in abilities, skills and strength. At KOOCHIE Global, much of our time, money and effort is spent on research, development and testing of our outdoor fitness and playground equipments . It makes us the only brand in India that has received the EN16630, EN1176, EN1177 certifications from “international notified bodies” such as TUV & SGS. Safety – right from design stage During the designing phase, utmost care is taken to ensure that a park has a suitable boundary walls to make sure children with short attention spans and related conditions do not wander off, similarly slide run offs, safe fall zones, critical fall heights, impact zones, entrapment areas etc are all taken care off to ensure that safety is never compromised while at the same time children are kept actively engaged. Such safe play areas foster a stronger sense of empathy, positivity and foster social interactions too . Besides encouraging a cathartic experiences, the emotional benefits achieved in terms of self-esteem are invaluable. After more than a decade of starting KOOCHIE Global, We can still proudly say that not a day goes by when we don’t innovate and work together to change the way this world plays! Looking back at the progress the world has made over the last decade is indeed inspiring but begs the question; Have we been too myopic in our understanding of the word progress? With child obesity rates steadily increasing across the globe, it is high time to introduce children to the joy of the outdoors and not their TV screens. It is our firm belief that by introducing inclusive playgrounds across the globe, we will usher in a new era of outdoor play and fitness for the future generation. We’re changing the way this world plays!
Transforming Bangalore: World-Class playground equipment installed in Bangalore Public park
Koochie Global is not your average Playground Equipment Manufacturing Company. Since our Inception over a decade ago, we strive to do things differently. Having been fortunate enough to work and interact with some amazing organizations, individuals and community leaders; our efforts to create need-based outdoor play experiences and fitness equipment have provided great value to the everyday lives of people. With a focus on holistic well-being, Koochie Global set out to bring forth yet another unique opportunity for families to explore. We hope to facilitate a wholesome recreational environment that everyone can be a part of. The most recent project where such a vision has been actualized, is the Janatha Bazaar Park in Bangalore, India. The park features some of our most popular Outdoor Fitness for adults & Play Systems catering to various age groups – Toddlers to 12 year old. This also includes Bangalore’s first-of-its-kind custom-designed equipment that enables ‘Inclusive Play’ with a focus on children with special needs and abilities. The park has been open to the public, post inauguration this Dussehra. This was made possible through the vision and motivation from of one of the most dynamic leaders we have worked with, Dr Ashwath Narayan – Member of Legislative Assembly -Bangalore, whose vision was to provide the residents of his constituency with truly world-class amenities that they could enjoy at their neighbourhood parks. After much research and planning, the foundation to metamorphosise the space was laid. What was once seen as a space with old, dilapidated, outdated and unusable equipment, transformed into an amazing public space that allows every resident, irrespective of age, to enhance their outdoor experience through different activities. We have received an overwhelming number of responses, and the testimonials are encouraging. Amongst the various bits of feedback we have received, this one in particular stands out, a testament to our efforts. Mrs Nandini, a member of the Resident Welfare Association, a regular visitor to the park with her two children gleefully commented, “The children’s park at Sadashivnagar has one of the best and state-of-the-art play equipment I have seen in Bangalore. My daughter Anika loves the swing, which is safe for toddlers. The park has become a new hangout space in the neighbourhood for kids and parents.” Some highlights of the Playground Equipment installed at the parks are: CAVALA (Adventure Series): One of the most popular Adventure Series Installations has become the centerpiece of this park. It is built for children in the age group of 3 to 12 years. Free play, as well as group play promotes independent thoughts alongside social interaction. Capacity: 15 to 18 Children. This installation provides a way to channelize a child’s energy and engage in various movements including running, climbing, jumping, etc. SCARBORUGH (Multiplay System): Alongside “Cavala”, there’s also the Multi-play System for children of the age group from 3 to 12 years. This colorful installation consists of 2 slides, a sun-roof, monkey loops and the number panel. This structure facilitates effective coordination, various muscle movements and conceptual learning. INCLUSIVE PLAY: The park also showcases a first-of-its-kind multi-play station specially designed and engineered for children with special needs – an environment that caters to INCLUSIVE PLAY. This includes scientifically designed ramps for wheelchair access so it becomes easy for all children to play as part of a group. Post extensive research, need-analysis and understanding of learning outcomes, this equipment has been designed and manufactured using the highest quality materials. In compliance with European standards for Quality & Safety, this product has been professionally certified. OUTDOOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT environment that caters to INCLUSIVE PLAY. This includes scientifically designed ramps for wheelchair access so it becomes easy for all children to play as part of a group. Post extensive research, need-analysis and understanding of learning outcomes, this equipment has been designed and manufactured using the highest quality materials. In compliance with European standards for Quality & Safety, this product has been professionally certified. “Families that play together, stay together” This is one of the guiding principles and motivator for this project. A large body of scientific evidence has identified various reasons to explain this prophetic statement. Eg. Effective communication, Social Tolerance and Conflict resolutions, are amongst the varied benefits of play. It is our endeavor at Koochie Global, to make it a fun learning experience for all.
Play is Hard Work
PLAY IS HARD WORK “Play is the work of a child” and Play is hard work. Indeed, there has been ample research in the recent past that has firmly established the correlation between children, play and learning. Our own research into various forms of play, have led us to use different colors, textures, designs and materials in an effort to enhance the play experience of a child. Read on for more information on the different forms of play and their benefits for children. Children can be involved in more than one form of play at any time. While children may show preferences for one type of play, it is important that they experience a variety of types to support their learning and development across the four themes of Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating, Exploring and Thinking. Solitary play – The child plays alone. Spectator play – The child watches others playing without joining in. Parallel play – The child plays side by side with another child, often with similar materials, but without interacting. Associative/partnership play – Children begin to play together, developing interactions through doing the same activities or playing with similar equipment or by imitating. Co-operative play – Children interact, take turns, share and decide how and what to play. They collaborate, develop, and negotiate ideas for their play. The above information provides the approach for us to plan and create opportunities for such play. The environment needs to provide children with the support, props, time, and space to develop their play. This role involves many dimensions which includes allowing space for adult supervision. Since the environment influences how and what children play, well-resourced, well-planned and predictable indoor and outdoor spaces help children develop in a well-rounded manner. Our vision to change the way this world plays, has its roots set in the simplest needs of a child. Providing safe spaces for children to experience such forms of play, has been our driving force since inception. Research, Development and attention to detail in the Manufacturing and Installation phases is of prime focus throughout. Explore our website for a full range of playground equipment, outdoor fitness equipment and safety flooring. All our products are certified to meet the highest international standards of child safety.
Digital Detox & Its Importance for today’s children
Most parents are concerned seeing their children invest an alarmingly high amount of time in electronic devices and ponder what they can do about it. Let’s be honest, new age lives involve media consumption from a plethora of digital sources, regardless of whether it’s TV, cell phones, tablets or PCs. It isn’t entirely surprising that today’s children are drawn towards digital media as often as they are, given the alluring nature of the same. Here is a list of reasons why digital detox for children is imperative: Melatonin Levels – Using screens late into the night can keep our minds overworked and delay/reduce the release of the sleep inducing hormone. Rest – Adequate rest is not only vital to handle the next day’s routine at school, but the absence of scheduled rest in children has been associated with higher risks of lifestyle diseases and obesity. Low Performance/Energy Levels – Heavy consumption of digital content can affect school work and cause reluctance/lethargy in children to involve themselves in physical activities or other forms of play. Emotional Wellness – Our Social Media Networks have a profound effect on the emotional wellness of adults, let alone children. This can leave children feeling inadequate and on edge regarding their self-perception and way of life. Social Interactions – It is essential for children to develop social skills to adapt to various situations and/or environments as they grow. The absence of such environments can cause children to become withdrawn and not interact age-appropriately. HELP THEM UNPLUG: DIGITAL DETOX STRATEGIES To begin with, attempt and adopt some of these detox methodologies yourself. “Be the change you want to see”. While you are suggesting to your children that taking screen breaks is vital, you won’t get a positive reaction if you’re glancing at your own cell phone time and time again. Look at it as a family detox – you’ll be glad you took this step! “Cell phones not allowed”(not really) Create specific time slots and zones in your home, that are free of screens and digital media. We think the dinner table is a great place to start (Leaving your cell phones away or for good discussions)! Recognize that unplugging can be quite difficult for the children. After all, they’ve been at it for a while. Urge your children to share their recommendations on the schedules. However, be firm with your phone-free spaces. “Game ON!” Organise game-times that are not screen-oriented. Play board games or head out to the closest playground. Play catch, shoot some hoops, skate, bicycle, trek, camp,…. You do see there are numerous other options here. Have fun while you’re at it. Check back on our blogs for more information at http://www.koochieplay.com/blog Koochie Global – Playground Equipment Manufacturers Let’s change the way this world plays, together!
Everybody deserves to be fit!
When was the last time your body worked perfectly in sync with your mind and vice versa? When did you last acknowledge that you are functioning in your best capacity physically and achieving your maximum potential ? Unfortunately for a lot of us, that was a long time ago. Somewhere along the way, the daily grind took priority and we took our physical health and organs that relentlessly continue working , for granted . The consequent impact of such deliberate or unintentional ignorance, is what mars our abilities and health. We shouldn’t be out of breath after a flight of stairs. There are numerous statistics that we can discuss related to this matter. For example, the rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) in India, the rampant increase in Child Obesity or the exponentially growing costs for healthcare, primarily due to Lifestyle Diseases such as, Diabetes, Hypertension, Cardiac Conditions, Obesity, etc. But let’s talk about something that affects each of us personally. Most of us are even unable to keep up with our children on a day spent outdoors. The lack of energy is apparent . This article isn’t intended to shock or scare you into incorporating exercise into your routine, but to provide direction/options for you to make the right choices for yourself. Let’s start by debunking a few popular opinions. 1. Gym Memberships are expensive but are necessary for me to be fit! —- WRONG! Simple activities like walking, jogging, cycling, etc., can immensely help improve your fitness levels. Try using open gyms, also called garden gyms in any public park to start your fitness routine. Guess what? – no memberships required 2. Indoor Gyms with a trainer are more effective —- WRONG! If a well-planned and well-researched workout is done using any of the outdoor fitness equipment available, it can be as effective as any gym. Take for example our own outdoor fitness equipment, they use a calisthenic approach that uses your own body weight as resistance. Calisthenics is proven to yield great results if practiced consistently. Here’s a list of things you can do to help you stick to your exercise routine more effectively: • Make it a part of your daily schedule You most definitely wouldn’t miss a meeting with a client, boss or doctor. Make sure you treat your exercise sessions the same way. • Prep your exercise gear the previous night This helps reduce the effort while starting your workout. • Plan it! Jot down a suitable workout plan before retiring the previous night. When you wake up, just stick to the plan. • More the merrier! Get a friend or a family member to join you. This will keep both or all of you motivated to keep exercising. • One step at a time You don’t have to wake up at 5 am. Start by waking up 5 minutes earlier than usual and exercising for 5 minutes. Increase the time as you get comfortable with the activity and the time. • Eat well! Experts have suggested that the best time to eat is 30 to 60 minutes after you finish working out, so make sure breakfast is your most important meal. • Get an extra dose of those endorphins! Working out triggers the release of endorphins in your body. This will keep you positive, mentally agile and overall happier! Working out triggers the release of endorphins in your body. This will keep you positive, mentally agile and overall happier! Remember, the key to staying fit is keeping at it. No matter how small the window of activity, consistently staying active will keep you healthier and happier! Choose wisely .