Young children nowadays already have a strong desire for discovery. Age 1 or 2 has now become a prime period for toddlers to start learning the basics, which makes it utterly important for parents to allow them to explore and experience things first-hand through play.
Confining kids at home with television and gadgets could curb their development leading to possible onset of delay in speech, social, and motor skills. It is through play that children learn more about themselves, build self-worth, and learn to socialize.
Drawing, doodling, or playing with dough or dolls, for example, encourage children to become more creative and express themselves more freely. Letting them build their own structures using blocks, shapes, and puzzles, on the other hand, help them organize things and develop their logical thinking. Allowing them to interact with other kids through free play improves their social and motor skills while also enhancing their strength and immunity.
With this in mind, Okada Manila has taken a step further in building a purposeful environment for families as they promote a holistic development for kids of all ages through its latest inclusive and multifunctional entertainment and leisure facility, PLAY at Okada Manila.
PLAY which stands for “Purposeful Learning and Activities for the Young” is a family-friendly indoor fun facility where child’s play is elevated to an engaging and enriching experience, says Ivaylo Ivanov, vice president for Hotel Operations.
PLAY provides children aged 1 to 16 a fun place where they can enjoy multi-functional free play or coach-led sessions in eight different “neighborhoods.”
The Wizard’s Den is an interactive video game space where kids use gestures to defeat mythical creatures. Mini Steps & Mini Me is a dedicated play and learning space for children aged 0 to 3 years old. Little Town is a purpose-built area that allows children engage in hands-on play in a banking, postal, school, grocery, and home environment where they gain valuable information and practical experience of every day grown-up life.
Little Park, a two-level playground and maze, is where toddlers can spend their limitless energy and test their physical strength. Sports Zone is an active zone with artificial grass court for sports games. Janguru is a multi-level playground and maze for kids over 110 centimeters. The Stage is where kids can unleash their inner performer and cultivate their singing, dancing, acting, and public speaking skills. Finally, My Party Place is a gaming and events space that can host birthday parties, corporate events, team-building activities, or any special occasion.
The facility also offers complimentary pocket activities and programmed classes throughout the day. Affordable coach-assisted programs to enhance and strengthen the child’s developmental, academic, social, creative, and physical well-being are also available.
PLAY’s dedicated learning programs, which are designed to address the developmental needs of children, include: (1) Colors and Creations, an arts and crafts program designed to develop creativity and imagination through detailing, color coordination, and artistic impression, as well as work behavior like sitting tolerance, focus, and concentration; (2) Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, a program aimed at enhancing the child’s development as they explore the world around them. This also includes sessions for caregivers to stay updated and improve their communication, child-minding, and domestic engineering skills, as well as one-on-one sessions on specific academic tutorial (e.g., math, science, and reading) and special needs therapy (i.e., occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy); (3) Music and Movement, meanwhile, helps harness and showcase the natural talent of kids through group sessions focused on dance, music, and the performing arts; and (4) Life Skills, where kids are trained on practical matters, such as social graces, good housekeeping, creative writing skills, anti-bullying, natural remedies, aromatherapy, and personal nutrition.
The facility can accommodate up to 300 guests at a given time. Its other features include child-friendly comfort rooms, an emergency response team composed of first-aid qualified PLAY coaches and marshals, a snack bar, a kiddie gift shop, and over 30 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to ensure kids have all the fun they want within a convenient, safe, and secure environment. The management team is led by certified expert coaches and licensed teachers trained to provide guests the highest standard of care and fun learning.
“We know for a fact that allowing children to play, explore, and interact with other children, either in a free or structured manner, rewards them with a lot more beyond just a few moments of fun,” says Vikki Aquino, director of Spa, Fitness and Recreation. “That’s basically the idea we had for PLAY. We want to have a space where they can learn, grow, and understand more of the world around them, all while having fun and simply being the kids that they are.”
Visit www.okadamanila.com to know more about PLAY.
