Play is
critical to the growth and development of children. As children play, they learn
physical and social skills as well as enhance their cognitive development. These are what children will achieve at Marbee Adventure, the newest playground at
SM City Iloilo.
“I felt that
schools, especially in Manila, are very traditional and academic-driven. The
pupils are always pressured to study and the fun of learning has disappeared. I
want to put back the fun in learning, which is why we decided to have Marbee
Adventure,” said Beia Legarda Santos Florete, the lady behind the play-learn advocacy.
“The parent
or guardian may leave a child at Marbee, but by the end of play time, the child
has already met a lot of friends, learned how to wait his turn in the slide,
how to share with the blocks and to listen to the guide. The learning is holistic - emotional, social and cognitive, but if you look at the children, they are just
jumping and playing around,” she adds.
Florete is
also a proud owner of a school in Manila called Eskwela Legarda. The school has
a progressive, play-based, development-appropriate school where the children
are taught skills and knowledge according to their ages. At the same time, the
children also learn through fun activities, and playing outdoors is an integral
part of the curriculum.
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Beia Legarda Santos Florete |
Professional
Staff
Parents are
assured that their children are in safe hands when at Marbee Adventure. All the
staff who take charge of the children are either teachers or education
graduates, fully trained and emotionally equipped to handle the special
needs of children, including the most rowdy ones.
“I want to
have personnel who know how to work with children, so that they understand the
importance of leaning through fun activities. All of them underwent a 4-day
seminar before they started working here to further enhance their knowledge and
skills. The seminar covered important areas such as the crucial role of play in
the development of kids and how to handle children with special needs. The
teachers have to be extra patient and understanding with them” said Florete.
Children’s
Safety
Upon entrance
at Marbee Adventure, a photo and fingerprint of the parent or guardian as well
as the photo of the child are taken and stored in the computer database. This
is part of the company’s security system so that only the guardian whose photo
and fingerprint are in the computer can fetch the child after playtime. The
children are not allowed out of the play area unless the guardian is there to
get him or her.
As for the
children’s safety during play, there are “adventure guides” who help the
children in their adventures. “We identified stations where guides have to be to
be present all the time. These areas are the zipline, the trampoline and the
swing, which are the most popular places for the kids. These are where they get
the most excited. Like in the
zipline, the guides make sure that the children fall in line, take turns, learn
to wait, and have their hands to themselves, meaning no pushing. Everybody has
to have a good time,” explained Florete.
Special
Promotions
Come Easter
Sunday, March 27, Marbee Adventure has special offers for parents and children
alike. There will be an interactive booth at the activity center, which the
children will surely enjoy. As for the parents, they can avail of certificates
at discounted rates, which mean more affordable or extended play and learning
time for their children.
Also, May 1
is Marbee Adventure Day when so much fun is in store for the children. In
addition, all paying customers will receive a free shirt.
A child can
also celebrate his or her birthday at Marbee Adventure. They offer three
special packages that will surely make the child’s special day very colorful and
memorable – Delightful, Exciting and Exclusive Adventures.
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