Find a Balance of Screen and Green Time

The Playscape is the latest West Hill School enhancement that supports the growth and development of the whole child while engaging children in their daily work of play in a natural setting.

February 27, 2019

“Think of all your happy childhood memories of playing outside. Remember how much fun it was to have the freedom to wonder, imagine, explore and create? It’s this bit of excitement that makes children believe that anything is possible!”

–Amy Freemann, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at the West Hill School

In today’s world of digital overload for children of all ages, experts agree that children, especially those in the first five years of their lives, require a developmentally appropriate balance of “screen and green” experiences to grow up happy and healthy.

Research supports that smartphones, tablets, video games and television dominate the waking hours of our children. This generation is so plugged into electronic diversions, that it has lost its connection to the natural world. It is no surprise that children are sitting more and moving less when they are connected to a device, leading to a lifestyle that can lead to childhood obesity and other “nature deficit disorders”. Next to sleeping, many children spend more time using a screen than any other activity, leading to more screen time than green time.

We want our children at the West Hill School to care about nature so they will want to care for it as adults. The Playscape is the latest West Hill School enhancement that supports the growth and development of the whole child while engaging children in their daily work of play in a natural setting. A nature-inspired playground approach promotes diverse learning experiences while teaching the children the social skills to work in groups, share, negotiate and resolve conflicts.

The Playscape is comprised of intentionally designed engaging spaces dedicated to connecting children to their interests, to each other and to meaningful experiences with nature as a part of daily learning. Children have the freedom to choose from fifteen different nature – inspired areas that utilize natural materials designed to satisfy their individual interests, developmental levels and skill sets in the real world. The possibilities are endless. Children dig for worms, care for their garden, build forts, play with water and sand, climb over a hill, sit quietly with books, perform on a stage, paint, make music, dance and play running and jumping games. Playscape allows children to be children while inspiring wonder, freedom, adventure, experimentation and safe risk-taking.

Community update! Congratulations to The West Hill School on becoming a Nationally Certified Nature Explore Classroom based on their Playscape Outdoor Classroom! Learn more here!