And inspire learning through fun and games
Parents are often told that the best way to help their kids learn is by allowing their little warriors to explore and experience things first hand through play. Learning starts from the moment kids are born, so it’s very important for parents to be able to provide them with tools and platforms that will allow them to unleash their potential.
And just when you thought you’ve seen and experienced basically everything that established play spaces in the metro can offer, along comes a new “play arena” that promises a lot more for your children than just a fun-filled play day.
PLAY at Okada Manila goes beyond the industry standard with a full line of dedicated learning programs aimed at enhancing the holistic development of children.
The programs
The facility offers four dedicated learning programs designed to address the developmental needs of children: Colors and Creations, an arts and crafts program designed to develop creativity and imagination by improving the use of motor skills through detailing, color coordination and artistic impression, along with work behavior like sitting tolerance, focus, and concentration; 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 for specific academic tutorial (math, science, and reading) and special needs therapy (occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy); Music and Movement, which helps harness and showcase the natural talent of kids through group sessions focused on dance, music, and the performance arts; and Life Skills, where kids are trained with classes that focus on practical matters, such as social graces, good housekeeping, creative writing skills, anti-bullying, natural remedies,
aromatherapy, and personal nutrition.

Play spaces
PLAY has also been designed to become a multi-functional platform that addresses the recreation and learning needs of kids aged 1 to 16 years old. It boasts of eight purpose-built play areas that will reward kids with all the fun and adventure they crave for.
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  hildren aged 0 to 3 years old; Little Town provides children hands-on experience in banking, postal, school, grocery, and home environment play settings that allow them to gain valuable learning and practical insights into every day grown-up life; Little Park is a two-level playground and maze, where toddlers can spend their limitless energy and explore their physical strength; Sports Zone is an active zone with artificial grass court for sports; Janguru is another multi-level playground and maze, this time, 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; and My Party Place serves as a gaming and events space that can host birthday parties, corporate events, team-building activities, or any other special occasion.

PLAY at Okada is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 12 midnight, Fridays and Saturdays. Visit www.okadamanila.com and take the first big step towards enjoying purposeful learning and activities for your young warriors at PLAY.
 
By SEAN T. NEPOMUCENO