WhyteHouse Education Group, a nursery and kindergarten based in Penang, is preparing to introduce Malaysia's first "loose and risky playground" on the island, as explained by its founder, Jery Yeoh.

It's a well-known fact that parents, whether in the past, present, or future, always worry about their children's safety. However, being overly protective can sometimes lead to unforeseen consequences that can be more harmful than the occasional bumps and falls children might experience during play.

Traditional children's playgrounds are designed to be extremely safe, sometimes to the point of making children too comfortable while playing. However, there's a growing global need for playgrounds to include some "risky" elements to help prepare kids for a world that isn't always completely safe.

While several countries have already implemented risky playgrounds, Penang is about to become the first state in Malaysia to establish its own loose and risky playground.

During an interview with Buletin Mutiara on September 26 at WhyteHouse's headquarters branch in Bayan Lepas, Jery Yeoh disclosed that a 9,700-square-foot area has been identified for this program near the mentioned branch. They've invested RM200,000 in setting up this space, including the purchase of life-sized blocks, bricks, recycled materials, and other equipment for children to play with. This will be a permanent setup, complete with canopies and an existing rooftop.

The trial run is expected to commence by November 1, followed by an official launch date to be announced later. The primary goal is to expose children to risk and teach them how to react appropriately. It also aims to foster unity among children through play, as play is a unifying factor.

Jery Yeoh mentioned that the number of children allowed in each session will be limited to 30 to avoid overcrowding and potential hazards, in contrast to traditional playgrounds. The program is open to all, with priority given to children enrolled in any of the WhyteHouse branches.

WhyteHouse, which started with just three registered children in 2009, has now expanded to serve about 250 children across its four branches in Penang. These branches include WhyteHouse Arena Curve, WhyteHouse Bukit Mertajam, WhyteHouse Kindergarten at Tech Dome (Komtar), and Whytehouse Kindergarten in Batu Kawan.

Civil servants in Komtar can benefit from subsidized monthly fees at the Tech Dome branch as part of WhyteHouse's community project. The Batu Kawan branch is a collaboration with Micron Technology, with 20 percent of enrollments available to the public. Operations at the Bayan Lepas branch are overseen by Tan Huey Miin and Fong Chi Cheng.

Pictures: Buletin Mutiara