Namyangju City Successfully Concludes SangSangN Playground Play Expedition Journey

Namyangju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Joo Gwang-deok) announced on the 29th that the special program "Play Exploration Team," part of the "SangsangN Playground" initiative carried out from April to November, successfully concluded with a total of 635 infants and toddlers participating.

Namyangju City has been conducting the special program "Play Exploration Team," part of the "Imagination N Playground," from April to November. Photo by Namyangju City

The "Play Exploration Team" is a project-based program combining participatory experiences and performances, based on the Namyangju-style children's playground "SangsangN Playground." It was promoted through collaboration between Namyangju City and the Department of Early Childhood Education at Kyungbok University.

Faculty members and about 40 senior students from the Department of Early Childhood Education participated in planning and operation, adding professionalism and creativity, providing infants and toddlers with creative and diverse play experiences.

In the first half of the year, a total of 25 play and experience programs were operated based on picture books, including △Infinite Five Senses Play △The Giving Tree △The 100-Story House △Where the Monsters Live △Palm Zoo, among others.

In the second half, familiar stories for infants and toddlers were planned and directed as musical plays, presenting three performances: △"Sloth, Swim!" △"Little Red Riding Hood" △"Jack and the Beanstalk." This program, which fused musical plays, experiences, and play, provided various content to children and received positive evaluations.

A parent who participated in the program said, "It was impressive how the program encouraged play participation tailored to the child's temperament," adding, "Thanks to this, my child was able to immerse in play for two hours straight, and I believe this is a necessary play policy in the era of low birth rates."

An official from Namyangju City stated, "This program was a meaningful opportunity that brought joy to infants and toddlers, childcare experience to prospective professionals, and new directions to operators," and added, "We will prepare more diverse and interesting programs next year."

Information on performances and experience programs for infants and toddlers can be found on the SangsangN Playground blog, and inquiries about the Play Exploration Team program can be made to the Namyangju City Childcare Policy Division.