Kids know best: why a child-led play area is boosting results and wellbeing for Eagleby kids
Joomunjie Land is a play space unlike any other school playground. Why? It was designed, named and built by the students, and the only limits are the limits of their imaginations.
Barrels, buckets, hoops, tyres, rope swings, man-made climbing structures and cubbies and plenty of dirt make up the massive outdoor space at Eagleby South State School. Students created the space with some help from the Australian Institute of Play (AIP) team, a Logan-based organisation advocating for the crucial role of play in childhood development.
Joomunjie Land is the evolution of an idea that formed during COVID lockdowns in 2020. At the time, principal Andrew Barnes’ approach to learning for the students still coming to school every day was to encourage more outdoor play and child-led learning.
AIP Project operations manager Jordan Hill says they found that returning students who spent time in outdoor play performed better than many of the students learning at home.
‘So, it kept going. It began with a smaller outdoor loose-parts play area, then we worked with students to design what we have now – all this land that used to be out of bounds and only used for cross country running,’ Jordan says.
‘I remember when we had builders here and I saw a young student directing the operator of a digger very seriously. They were all over it – it’s completely designed by the children.’
The verdict? It works a treat.
“For students who usually struggle, it is freedom. They don’t need to mask or pretend to be someone else.”
— Mum and teacher aide Danni Cole
Teacher aide and mum of 2 kids at the school Danni Cole says she loves seeing the impact Joomunjie Land has on the children.
‘Kids can use their imagination and do as they please, there is no method or steps or rules to follow and they love it,’ she says.
‘I see no fighting or disagreements, there is no “cool kids” and “uncool kids” – they build friendships with kids they might not otherwise speak too, and have fun here.
‘For students who usually struggle, it is freedom. They don’t need to mask or pretend to be someone else.’
Joomunjie Land is open throughout school hours and after school as a free hangout spot for students. It’s also open and free for the community throughout the school holidays .
Danni and Jordan say teachers have seen behavourial and academic improvements since Joomunjie Land opened.
The space has also attracted interest from other schools seeking to implement something similar in their grounds.
For Year 4 students Isla Paterson and Jasper Crocker, Joomunjie Land is a highlight of their school week. The rough and tumble, the thrill-seeking, the exhilaration – it’s all part of the appeal.
‘I love getting dirty, swinging high, and running around,’ Isla says.
Want to explore? Head here to find out when you can visit Joomunjie Land:
