Traditional play structures employ a linear-metric structural composition that demands play within a certain pathway. For instance, standard monkey bars.
This pathway is often rote learnt, becoming a developmental dead-end once its repetitive movements are memorised. Such structures are based in ‘one size fits all' models of education, and standardised testing that rewards completion and achieving quantitative outcomes. The sense of a flow state is rarely accomplished with such play equipment, as they do not engage a cognitive / creative element.
Unlike a traditional climbing structure, the whole body is engaged while traversing the Flowbars. Young people need to creatively navigate the bars as they learn new skills and develop body awareness. This expansion of their movement vocabulary includes stretching, lunging, swinging, gripping, crawling and jumping at very irregular spatial intervals and with unusual body positioning.
All these attributes increase ones confidence in their physical literacy. Engaging in challenging and creative game play the ease of acquiring new skills comes naturally.
Movement Autonomy
Flowbars' non-linear arrangement provides endless pathways that can be navigated from one side to the other. They inspire movement decision making and give the climber a sense of sovereignty in where and how they will climb. Climbers must use creative problem solving, real-time navigational decision making and are constantly expanding their spatial awareness and self orientation.
Flowbars ask how you would like to play. There is no right or wrong way to participate. No set directions. No immediate goals that are set out for you. There is a multitude of entry points that suit different capability levels. Inclusivity is inbuilt into the design.
There is also no limits as the structure continues to unlock new potentials as one advances in body awareness and ability.
