A year ago, the back lot of the Normant Early Education Center was little more than an empty, heat-emitting stretch of asphalt. Outside, the Harbor City preschool reflects its industrial setting: little grass, little shade, among warehouses filled with milling machines.
To get to school, parents must guide their children through a labyrinth of concrete, past auto body shops and metal manufacturers. Sometimes, the sound of grinding gears can mask the cries of sopranos and the cries of preschoolers.
But on Monday, the children of Normant entered a friendly environment on campus and ran around in their new $3.3-million playground, a gift that is much more than sandboxes, lawns and gardens.
Funded by a voter-approved, $9 billion bond and part of Los Angeles Unified’s pledge to increase green space in urban schools, the playground is especially important to this group of preschoolers, who desperately need outdoor play spaces, said Deborah Aguet, principal of the Normant Early Education Center, which serves 2-year-olds.
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Most of these children were born during the violence and spent much of their infancy isolated at home, their early relationships filtered by the blue light of tablets and television, Aguet said.
“We know that being isolated at home, many students come to us usually with devices in their hands,” said Aguet. “It’s very important that we shorten that period so that all other areas of growth and development – social, emotional – can be taken care of.”
At this stage of their development, it is important to emphasize the interaction of the group outside, says Dr. Angela Breidenstine, senior psychologist at the Child Mind Institute – a non-profit organization dedicated to children’s mental health. Breidenstine added that outdoor play teaches toddlers about risk, allows them to explore boundaries and encourages empathy.
The new outdoor class offers a variety of activities.
(Gary Coronado / For The Times)
“It gives kids a chance to really test their boundaries a little bit in a safe way,” Breidenstine said. “Whether it’s going to try to get higher or it’s going to try to run faster and get into some kind of age-appropriate competition. … They have an opportunity to support and encourage each other, even build their empathy.”
Arlena Harrison, a teacher’s assistant, said she saw a difference in the children on Monday. He said that after playing outside in the morning, his energetic students had a little trouble paying attention in the afternoon.
Parent India Callwood, who moved to the Harbor City area a few months ago, said she was glad her four-year-old’s local school went to such lengths to encourage outdoor play.
“With the storage area, it can be a little noisy, but with their new playground, there is a lot of space for them to be free in nature,” said Callwood. “They’re inside all the time … any place to get fresh air and play is the best.”
Azul Montez, 4, tosses bean bags at the Normant Early Education Center.
(Gary Coronado / For The Times)
Dior Johnson, 2, kicked the ball towards another child, who interrupted his run across the yard to kick it back to him. The ball went back and forth for minutes, and not a single word was spoken between them, but an understanding was reached through play. Dora Johnson said her daughter has a speech delay and believes playing outside frees her to “really express herself.”
“Sometimes, when he doesn’t want to talk or express his emotions or feelings, I think this natural play outside gives him a sense of words that he can’t say,” said Johnson.
Nearby, two children set up a tower in their brand new sandbox. Others try but fail to master the art of jumping rope. Most did not stay in one place for long but instead formed temporary divisions based on the games they played.
LAUSD Supt. Alberto Carvalho said encouraging outdoor play is very important for children after the city has been hit by illegal immigrants and many fearful parents are keeping families indoors.
Enkh-erdene Altandush, 5, is excited to ride a tricycle in an outdoor area.
(Gary Coronado / For The Times)
The outdoor classroom offers “something for everyone,” Carvalho said. “This is a way to introduce our children to fields that reflect their dreams, their desires and their strengths.”
The children jumped for joy after winning the cornhole game; others fall and cry defeat, but get up to play again. And despite the whirring of machines nearby, on this Monday afternoon, the sound of laughing children cut through the noise.
