I had gone to the project site to inspect the ongoing process at COCIN Treasure Academy, Jos. The school is one of the beneficiaries of the educational playground through the Reciprocal Exchange Component from the U.S. Department of State. The children were on Mid-term break that day, but it didn’t stop many of them whose houses were close to the school, from coming around to help us.
When we build, the pupils play a good role in the process. They help with minor tasks and are all eager to follow the process and see to the end of the build. They are always happy to engage in the process. And you go shout taya when dem show you pepper.
At times, we have difficulty controlling them from using the playground equipment even before we are through with the building. So it becomes a rule that no one mounts anything until the official handover/commissioning ceremony.
But in the interim, we ensure they can play with what’s available while learning to delay gratification with the main play equipment until it is time. We seize every opportunity to teach morals. You can see it, but you have to be patient until it is time to use it.
While they had worked and had done their bid, we made some makeshift tyre grids, and we all played with it. We had fun while the rest of the team concentrated on the main field building, we ‘were outside’, running tyres, counting and remembering our numbers.
And as we played, we injected a few educational thoughts into it. We had different games with the tyres, from counting to odd and even numbers. At some point, I got tired and asked everyone to rest. But they wouldn’t have it. They kept at it until they got tired. Then we shared some snacks and beverages with them, and they retired. To resume the next day.
Every aspect of the building process at COCIN Treasure Academy was fun, and tasking. But then, we get more opportunities to play and learn with the children who are more than eager to use the educational playground upon completion.
Yours in Play,
…
Don’t forget—I’m always rooting for you.
Salt. Light. Door.
