A playground where children can run, climb and even work in the vegetable garden. In Rotterdam, alderman Vincent Karremans (VVD), who was also present, is already making great efforts to green school playgrounds. In many other places across the country, however, school playgrounds still need considerable attention. This was reason enough for IVN to show politicians from the Labour Party (PvdA), BBB and Volt who accepted the invitation, with their own eyes what such a nature-rich playground means for pupils.
Sixty percent of school playgrounds in the Netherlands are still almost completely paved, according to an IVN survey. Miral and Husseyin know better than anyone what this means for children. For years, they too spent their breaks in such a ‘stone desert’.
Less arguing
“When we still had a paved playground, there were frequent incidents during football and the children would argue. That doesn’t happen at all anymore,” Husseyin recalls clearly. Miral also remembers that there were often lots of puddles on the playground after it had rained. “You would slip and fall into them.”
Outdoor lessons
The children are extremely enthusiastic about their new school playground, where they can not only play and garden, but which also has a kind of stage where outdoor lessons can be held. “We’re very happy to show everyone how beautiful it has become here,” says teacher Robert. “Every child deserves this.”
Teacher Robert Kwist on the green school playground of the Oranje School in Rotterdam.
Better performance
The people present certainly agreed. Especially when they also learned that various studies show that healthy, green school playgrounds lead to happier children, who exercise more, concentrate better in class and ultimately perform better as well.
The question, however, is why the greening of school playgrounds in the Netherlands is progressing so slowly. This is something IVN is keen to change. That is why IVN has also launched a petition. IVN wants all primary schools in the Netherlands to have a healthy, green school playground by 2030.
The best-ventilated classroom is outdoors
Vincent van der Veen, impact manager for Children & Nature at IVN, argued that legal regulations concerning school accommodation should also include rules about what the school playground should look like. “There are all kinds of laws and regulations concerning the school building itself, for example regarding CO2 levels. Very important, of course, but the best-ventilated classroom is the outdoor classroom. Much more attention needs to be paid to that outdoor space.”
IVN will continue to bring this message to the forefront in the run-up to the Dutch general election. Because it is high time for the Rotterdam approach throughout the country: No words, but action.