Squeals of delight rang through Charles Conder Primary as students had their first play in the Tuggeranong school's new sensory garden this week.
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Thoughtfully designed by TLC Landscaping owner Bob Thomas, the outdoor learning space features a mist tunnel, textured 'barefootpath', instruments and edible plants.
Each element was incorporated to stimulate the five senses.
Year 2 student Verity Lambert, tapping at the xylophone with classmate Chloe Kirkwood, pointed to the wind chime as her favourite thing in the garden.
"My absolutely favourite thing to do is play that instrument, I'm not sure what it's called, because it's a really nice sound," she said.
"You can play anything you want but you're not allowed to eat."
Chloe said the new playground was a bit different to others because “there’s normally slides at other playgrounds”. She liked the change. “There’s instruments and it’s new,” she said.
“Sometimes you’re inside all day and this gets you outside and to get fresh air.”
Charles Conder Primary principal Jason Walmsley said the playground would be used by teachers as a flexible learning space which offered children the opportunity to explore their environment. While children with additional needs would especially benefit, all students would have access to and enjoy the space, he said.
"Our learning environments are our second curriculum as well as teaching and learning, so we place a big importance on that and it gives them a variety of opportunities," he said.
“We have in education a focus on adjusting the curriculum, but we also need to make sure that we’re adjusting the environment.
“We know that children throughout Canberra have a range of different needs and one of those needs is definitely sensory and we see that’s important for us to understand and provide opportunities for them to do that.”
Like many creatives, Mr Thomas scoured Pinterest for inspiration when designing the sensory garden.
Two weeks of designing and two months of construction saw the formerly patchy grassed area turned into the students' new favourite spot.
"It brings a smile to my face. I like to see kids interacting," the trained landscape architect said.
Sometimes you’re inside all day and this gets you outside and to get fresh air
- Year 2 student Verity Lambert